Aging and Diversity: An Active Learning Experience

This new edition has been completely rewritten and includes chapters that address key topics in diversity and aging: research methods, psychological aging; health beliefs, behaviors, and services; health disparities; informal and formal care for older persons; work and retirement; religious affiliation and spirituality; and death, dying, and bereavement. Taking a broad view of diversity, Mehrotra and Wagner discuss elements of diversity such as gender, race or ethnicity, religious affiliation, social class, rural-urban community location and sexual orientation. Including these elements allows them to convey some of the rich complexities of our diverse culture - complexities that provide both challenges to meet the needs of diverse population and opportunities to learn how to live in a pluralistic society.

Throughout the book, Mehrotra and Wagner present up-to-date knowledge and scholarship in a way that engages readers in active learning. Rather than simply transmitting information, the authors place ongoing emphasis on developing readers’ knowledge and skills; fostering higher order thinking and encouraging exploration of personal values and attitudes.

Distinctive features of the book include:

• Opening vignettes for each chapter that present a sampling of how the issues to be discussed apply to diverse elders.
• Active learning experiences that invite readers to interview diverse elders, conduct internet searches, and give an analysis of a case study.
• Quizzes at the end of the chapters help readers ascertain the extent to which they have learned the material; the key for each quiz includes details about correct and incorrect responses so that additional learning can occur.
• Aging and Diversity Online boxes interspersed throughout the book provide internet resources that readers may use to find new research and publications.
• Suggested readings and audiovisual resources given at the end of each chapter serve as a guide to additional information on topics covered in the chapter.

This approach of presenting the material will help the readers understand and apply key concepts and principles in ways that will not only improve the lives of older people they serve, but will also enhance their own aging experience.

Chandra M. Mehrotra, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychology and Dean of Special Projects, College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota. Dr. Mehrotra is a fellow of the American Psychological Association's Division 2 (Teaching of Psychology) and Division 20 (Adult Development and Aging). He is also a fellow of the Gerontological Society of America. He serves on the editorial board of Educational Gerontology.
Lisa Smith Wagner, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Psychology, University of San Francisco. Her teaching interests include course on stereotyping and prejudice, and aging. She is particularly interested in the process that occurs when people change group membership. She also conducts research examining the role of culture in stress and coping, communication, information access and health-related behaviors.