Aging Research Paper

BACKGROUND

Over 30 million Americans are sixty-five years of age or older according to U.S. Census figures. This represents 12.8 percent of the population compared with less than 1 percent in 1900. Reductions in death rates account for the increase in older Americans. The aging of the population introduces many medical, social, and ethical issues into the public debate.

BROWSE FOR BOOKS ON THE SHELF USING THESE CALL NUMBERS

362.6–362.82

305.26–305.2609

306.7

301.435

174.2

613.0438

649.8

LOOK UNDER THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS IN THE CATALOG (CARD OR COMPUTER)

Aging

Aged

Aged—Health and hygiene

Geriatrics

Gerontology

Old age

REFERENCE MATERIALS THAT MAY HELP (BOOKS OR CD-ROMS)

Beanstalk, Robert H., and Linda K. George, eds. Handbook of Aging and the Social Sciences, 1995.

Manheimer, Ronald J., ed. Older Americans Almanac: A Reference Work on Seniors in the United States, 1994.

McLerran, Jennifer, and Patrick McKee. Old Age in Myth and Symbol: A Cultural Dictionary, 1991.

Roy, F. Hampton, and Charles Russell. The Encyclopedia of Aging and the Elderly, 1992.

Schick, Frank L., and Renee Schick, ed. Statistical Handbook on Aging Americans, 1994, 1994.

PERIODICAL INDEXES TO SEARCH (BOOKS OR CD-ROMS)

EBSCO Magazine Article Summaries

InfoTrac

NewsBank and other newspaper indexes

Readers’ Guide to Periodical Literature
SIRS (Social Issues Resources Series)

WILSONDISC

ONLINE DATABASES TO SEARCH

America Online

CompuServe

Dialog

Internet

Prodigy

KEY WORDS AND DESCRIPTORS FOR PERIODICAL INDEX AND ONLINE SEARCHES

Aged

Aging

Elderly

Geriatrics

Gerontology

Old age

VIDEOTAPES ON THIS TOPIC

Final Choices. Retirement Research Foundation, 1987.

Healthy Aging. Healthscope Film Library, 1986.

The Mind: Aging. PBS Video, 1988.

On Golden Pond. CBS/Fox Video, 1981.

FICTION BOOK RELATING TO TOPIC

Martz, Sandra. When I Am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple, 1991.

NATIONAL ORGANIZATION TO CONTACT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), 601 E St., N.W., Washington, DC 20049.

SUGGESTIONS FOR NARROWING THIS TOPIC

Discuss the psychological, physiological, or philosophical aspects of aging.

Find out about adult day care centers or nursing homes.

How is medical care for the elderly handled in the United States?

Investigate the treatment of aging in different countries.

SUGGESTIONS FOR RELATED TOPICS

Assisted suicide

Medical ethics

Mental health services

Pediatrics

This RESEARCH TOPIC GUIDE is intended to help the library user find information and materials on a particular topic in many sources throughout the library. Resources on this topic are not limited to those described and availability will depend upon the individual library. Feel free to ask a librarian for assistance.