Social Science and Medicine, 66(4), February 2008, pp.849-861.
Publisher:
Elsevier
Few studies have specifically examined trajectories of functional health status or estimated the extent to which they are influenced by childhood health and socioeconomic conditions. This study examines how circumstances associated with early life may shape the level and progression of functional limitations among adults at or near retirement. Employing data from the US Health and Retirement
Few studies have specifically examined trajectories of functional health status or estimated the extent to which they are influenced by childhood health and socioeconomic conditions. This study examines how circumstances associated with early life may shape the level and progression of functional limitations among adults at or near retirement. Employing data from the US Health and Retirement Study (HRS), it estimates latent growth curve models (LGM) of functional limitation. The results demonstrate that functional health trajectories in old age continue to be shaped by childhood health and socioeconomic circumstances. Poor childhood health and disadvantaged social origins are associated with both more functional limitations at baseline and higher rates of increase over time. This association is net of baseline adult chronic disease and socioeconomic status. While both childhood and adult factors influence the baseline level of functional limitation, only childhood health and socioeconomic status are associated with the rate of change in limitations over time.
Subject terms:
retirement, socioeconomic groups, child development, health needs;
Once free of the shackles of earning a living, thousands of people make the move to head south to the sun. Living there is an entirely different experience from going there on holiday. This book will help other people avoid many of the pitfalls, and make the transition to a sunny and healthy retirement a reality
Once free of the shackles of earning a living, thousands of people make the move to head south to the sun. Living there is an entirely different experience from going there on holiday. This book will help other people avoid many of the pitfalls, and make the transition to a sunny and healthy retirement a reality
Subject terms:
immigration, older people, retirement, health needs;
A handbook for retired people of any age, this book is full of practical information and advice on all the opportunities available. Drawing on Age Concern's experience, it covers: managing money; travel and holidays; community involvement; staying healthy; educational opportunities; useful addresses; relationships; and home; The handbook is designed to encourage everyone to view retirement
A handbook for retired people of any age, this book is full of practical information and advice on all the opportunities available. Drawing on Age Concern's experience, it covers: managing money; travel and holidays; community involvement; staying healthy; educational opportunities; useful addresses; relationships; and home; The handbook is designed to encourage everyone to view retirement as an opportunity not to be missed.
Subject terms:
holidays, retirement, communities, education, health needs;
Ageing and Society, 25(5), September 2005, pp.769-783.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
This article focuses on those members of the British community who have lived in Spain for a considerable time and for whom familial, social and institutional ties with Britain are weak or disrupted. Age Concern España was established by members of the British community to provide information and services on healthcare, benefits and local services in Spain. Four indicative case studies of those requesting assistance and classified as being of ‘serious need’ are presented. They illustrate the ways in which happy and fulfilling lives in Spain were abruptly changed as the person's resources (bodily, economic, social and skills) for independent living diminished, and in which institutions and friendship networks played a key role in supporting life. The paper is the product of collaboration between researchers and practitioners in Spain and the UK, and brings together previous research with new qualitative case studies. Whilst policy-makers, practitioners and gerontologists have an increasing awareness of the needs of older migrants and the challenges they pose for public policy, particularly for health and social care systems in Spain, there have been little sustained analysis and cross-country debate.
This article focuses on those members of the British community who have lived in Spain for a considerable time and for whom familial, social and institutional ties with Britain are weak or disrupted. Age Concern España was established by members of the British community to provide information and services on healthcare, benefits and local services in Spain. Four indicative case studies of those requesting assistance and classified as being of ‘serious need’ are presented. They illustrate the ways in which happy and fulfilling lives in Spain were abruptly changed as the person's resources (bodily, economic, social and skills) for independent living diminished, and in which institutions and friendship networks played a key role in supporting life. The paper is the product of collaboration between researchers and practitioners in Spain and the UK, and brings together previous research with new qualitative case studies. Whilst policy-makers, practitioners and gerontologists have an increasing awareness of the needs of older migrants and the challenges they pose for public policy, particularly for health and social care systems in Spain, there have been little sustained analysis and cross-country debate.
Subject terms:
migrants, older people, retirement, case studies, health needs;
Attention to the body’s changing needs and some knowledge of how to deal with common illnesses can lead to a long and healthy retirement. Written in non-medical language the author gives practical, expert advice and information to help everyone keep as healthy as possible in later life. Topics include: developing a healthy lifestyle; health checks and screening; common illnesses of later life;
Attention to the body’s changing needs and some knowledge of how to deal with common illnesses can lead to a long and healthy retirement. Written in non-medical language the author gives practical, expert advice and information to help everyone keep as healthy as possible in later life. Topics include: developing a healthy lifestyle; health checks and screening; common illnesses of later life; using the Health Service; and help for older carers. This book also provides clear guidance on areas such as depression, sleeping well and relaxation techniques. Positive and upbeat, this book will equip readers with all of the information needed to take charge of their own health.
Subject terms:
older people, retirement, screening, depression, health needs;
Aging and Mental Health, 11(1), January 2007, pp.30-36.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
This study was planned and carried out as a pilot study to determine the life satisfaction of men from the Official Social Security Institutions in Turkey (n=231). The Life Satisfaction Index was used as the measure. Among this group of retired men, the most popular leisure activities were audio-visual and reading. The strongest predictor of life satisfaction was the frequency of participation in leisure activities, followed by the level of satisfaction with health, income, and planning of leisure activities.
This study was planned and carried out as a pilot study to determine the life satisfaction of men from the Official Social Security Institutions in Turkey (n=231). The Life Satisfaction Index was used as the measure. Among this group of retired men, the most popular leisure activities were audio-visual and reading. The strongest predictor of life satisfaction was the frequency of participation in leisure activities, followed by the level of satisfaction with health, income, and planning of leisure activities.
Subject terms:
income, leisure activities, men, older people, planning, retirement, health needs;
Retirement is often treated as a voluntary transition, yet selected circumstances can restrict choice in retirement decision processes. The authors investigated conditions under which retirees perceive their retirement as "forced" rather than "wanted." Analyses relied on Waves 1–4 of the Health and Retirement Survey (N = 1,160; 572 men and 588 women). Logistic regression models estimated the effects of background factors, choice and restricted choice conditions, and retirement contexts on perceptions of forced retirement. Nearly one third of older workers perceived their retirement as forced. Such forced retirement reflects restricted choice through health limitations, job displacement, and care obligations. Other predictors include marital status, race, assets, benefits, job tenure, and off-time retirement. Future research should establish personal and policy implications of forced retirement. Programs are needed to help older workers forced into retirement find alternative employment opportunities and to reduce the conditions leading to forced retirement.
Retirement is often treated as a voluntary transition, yet selected circumstances can restrict choice in retirement decision processes. The authors investigated conditions under which retirees perceive their retirement as "forced" rather than "wanted." Analyses relied on Waves 1–4 of the Health and Retirement Survey (N = 1,160; 572 men and 588 women). Logistic regression models estimated the effects of background factors, choice and restricted choice conditions, and retirement contexts on perceptions of forced retirement. Nearly one third of older workers perceived their retirement as forced. Such forced retirement reflects restricted choice through health limitations, job displacement, and care obligations. Other predictors include marital status, race, assets, benefits, job tenure, and off-time retirement. Future research should establish personal and policy implications of forced retirement. Programs are needed to help older workers forced into retirement find alternative employment opportunities and to reduce the conditions leading to forced retirement.
The third edition of this text provides a comprehensive introduction to the study of ageing, exploring the key theories, concepts and methods which the behavioural and social sciences contribute to the subject. A new chapter on cognitive ageing has been added and key themes, such as social protection, retirement, health and illness, and cultural images of old age are also critically examined.
The third edition of this text provides a comprehensive introduction to the study of ageing, exploring the key theories, concepts and methods which the behavioural and social sciences contribute to the subject. A new chapter on cognitive ageing has been added and key themes, such as social protection, retirement, health and illness, and cultural images of old age are also critically examined.
Subject terms:
older people, retirement, social work, ageing, benefits, dementia, cultural identity, health needs;
Ageing and Society, 24(2), March 2004, pp.279-296.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Retirement has traditionally been seen as the beginning of old age. It has been depicted as mandatory expulsion from the workforce and seen to mark the transition to a period of ill health and poverty. Such ideas and associations are however being challenged in the developed world by socio-demographic changes in retirement and old age. People in the United Kingdom as elsewhere are living longer and healthier lives, and many older people have access to non-state incomes that afford them a reasonable standard of living in retirement. There is however still concern that inequalities persist into old age. Data from two waves of the British Whitehall II study have been used to assess the relative effects of occupational grade, psychological and general health during working life, and retirement patterns or pathways on activities, attitudes to health and income in retirement. The results show that the majority of the sample reported good health, financial security and overall satisfaction with life, but with observable inequalities. Regression analyses demonstrate that pre-retirement circumstances generally had a greater effect on later life than the retirement route or pathway. Retirement no longer represents a drastic break between working and post-work life but rather, the results suggest, there are continuities between the two periods. It is concluded that the main causes of inequalities in retirement are work-based rather than in retirement itself.
Retirement has traditionally been seen as the beginning of old age. It has been depicted as mandatory expulsion from the workforce and seen to mark the transition to a period of ill health and poverty. Such ideas and associations are however being challenged in the developed world by socio-demographic changes in retirement and old age. People in the United Kingdom as elsewhere are living longer and healthier lives, and many older people have access to non-state incomes that afford them a reasonable standard of living in retirement. There is however still concern that inequalities persist into old age. Data from two waves of the British Whitehall II study have been used to assess the relative effects of occupational grade, psychological and general health during working life, and retirement patterns or pathways on activities, attitudes to health and income in retirement. The results show that the majority of the sample reported good health, financial security and overall satisfaction with life, but with observable inequalities. Regression analyses demonstrate that pre-retirement circumstances generally had a greater effect on later life than the retirement route or pathway. Retirement no longer represents a drastic break between working and post-work life but rather, the results suggest, there are continuities between the two periods. It is concluded that the main causes of inequalities in retirement are work-based rather than in retirement itself.
Subject terms:
income, life expectancy, life style, older people, research methods, retirement, standard of living, ageing, employment, health needs;
Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 38(4), 2002, pp.19-37.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
... lives is not related to the health impairments of black people at the time of retirement or 10 years later, but strongly related to the health impairments of white people.
It is widely believed that people who earned more while they were young tend to be healthier in old age. This article questions whether this generalisation applies equally to black and white elderly people. A multivariate analysis, which included gender, marital status, age, education and number of children raised as control variables, indicated that the level of earnings during people's working lives is not related to the health impairments of black people at the time of retirement or 10 years later, but strongly related to the health impairments of white people.