Health in the Later Years, 2d ed. - book reviews

Age and Ageing, July, 1994 by Janet Askham

Despite its limitations for a British readership this book has much to recommend it. It is the second edition of one originally published in 1989 and is aimed at 'courses on health and aging for upper-division college students' and for graduate students and professionals from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds 'who want to continue their education in health and aging'.

One of the authors is medically qualified, the disciplinary background of the other is not clear; both are University teachers in California. The book covers the biology and physiology of ageing, acute and chronic illness, health-related activities such as nutrition and physical activity, and health-care services. While none of these can be covered in great detail the text is admirably clear, arguments are presented in a balanced way with discussion of and references to available evidence. It would be useful to medical students and other professional care groups concerned with older people. It would also be very useful to perple who wanted to understand their own health as they aged. (For example there is plenty of good advice for avoiding ill health or disability.) Lengthy reference sections are provided at the end of each chapter. There are two main drawbacks; one is its American focus (e.g. in the references, and in the demographic and health-care-system data presented); the other is its irritating inclusion of photographs, rhymes and personal accounts of a sentimental nature as well as of a series of suggested activities many of which would be suitable for schoolchildren but not for more mature readers.