This book examines the social aspects of healthy ageing for older
individuals. It features more than 15 papers that explore the relevance
of the social environment for health on the micro, meso, and macro
level. Overall, the book applies a comprehensive contextual approach
that includes discussion of how family and friends, neighborhoods,
nations, and welfare regimes influence health.
The book first explores the issue on the individual level. It looks at
the importance of social capital for health among older people, examines
types of social networks and health among older Americans, as well as
discusses dynamic social capital and mental health in late life.
Next, the book looks at the issue through a neighborhood and societal
context, which takes into account day-to-day interaction in the
immediate environment as well as the social, health, and economic
policies in place in different regions in the world, including America,
Europe, Asia, and Africa.
From there, the book goes on to offer implications and recommendations
for research and practice, including the management of related concepts
of research on well-being and health. It also offers a psychosocial
approach to promoting social capital and mental health among older
adults.
This book provides health professionals as well as researchers and
students in gerontology, sociology, social policy, psychology, and
social work with vital insights into the social factors that increase
healthy life years and promote well-being.