Ageing with Disability

A Lifecourse Perspective

Jeppsson Grassman, Eva, Whitaker, Anna, Eva Jeppsson Grassman, Anna Whitaker

• Publisher: Policy Press
• Year: 2013
• Print ISBN: 9781447305224
• eBook ISBN: 9781447305231
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Gerontology
• Index: Social Sciences

This is the first book to address the issue of ageing after a long life with disability. It breaks new ground through its particular life course perspective, examining what it means to age with a physical or mental disability and what the implications are of 'becoming old' for people who have had extensive disabilities for many years. These people may have had to leave the labour market early, and the book looks at available care resources, both formal and informal. Ageing with disability challenges set ideas about successful ageing, as well as some of those about disabilities. The life course approach that is used unfolds important insights about the impact of multiple disabilities over time and on the phases of life. The book highlights the meaning of care in unexplored contexts, such as where ageing parents are caregivers or regarding mutual care in disabled couples. These are areas of knowledge which have, to date, been totally neglected.

Table of contents

• Ageing with disability
• Contents
• Notes on contributors
• Acknowledgements
• Foreword
• 1. Ageing with disability: An introduction
• 2. Time, age and the failing body: A long life with disability
• 3. Disability, identity and ageing
• 4. Is it possible to ‘age successfully’ with extensive physical impairments?
• 5. Being one’s illness: On mental disability and ageing
• 6. In the shade of disability reforms and policy: Parenthood, ageing and lifelong care
• 7. Ageing and care among disabled couples
• 8. Living and ageing with disability: Summary and conclusion
• Index