Aging and Caregiving in Canada

"This is a well-written and authoritative piece of work which should be read by practitioners and students alike. The work is written in clear and understandable language – suitable and recommended for interdisciplinary professionals in gerontology, sociology, anthropology, and geriatrics. . . . The text balances recent empirical findings based on the author’s research with a unique theoretical interpretation of interaction in the nursing home. . . . The author provides an interesting description on nursing homes as well as an informative discussion of the ethnic subjects of his research. These include Italian and Anglo-Saxon populations. . . . Geriatric specialists will find the sociological implications of what are ostensibly medical questions helpful. Policy makers will find the revelations of how the elderly exist, not just statistics, but as real people with real needs. Those in the industry will find a sympathetic description of their services. Finally, this will make a good textbook for courses in gerontology." - Thomas S. Korllos Department of Sociology Kent State University

The author brings together two perspectives, those of symbolic interaction and exchange theory. He uses them to illuminate a situation which according to a narrow interpretation of exchange theory, ought not to exist: care by adults of their elderly institutionalized parents. – Ray Morris, Emeritus Professor of Sociology York University

Table of contents (main headings):
Preface
1. Introduction
2. Social Exchange and Symbolic Interaction Perspectives
3. Views of Nursing Homes: Past and Present
4. Research Methods
5. Kinship and Delayed Reciprocity
6. Meaning of Supportive Behavior
7. Role Conflicts and Caregiving
8. Toward a Triadic Relationship in Long-term Care
9. Intergenerational Relationships
10. Religiosity, Health and Major Life Transitions in Aging
11. Epilogue
Appendix (interviews); Bibliography; Index