Preface -- Part I : Introduction to the study of aging -- First the good news ... the myths of aging -- Study of aging -- Demography of aging -- Part II : Biomedical aspects of aging -- What are the results of aging? / Cary S. Kart, Eileen S. Metress, and Seamus P. Metress -- Why do people become old? / Cary S. Kart and Eileen S. Metress -- Health status of the elderly -- Part III : Aging in psychological and social perspective -- Psychological aspects of aging -- Social aspects of aging -- Sociological theories of aging -- Part IV : Aged and society -- Aging and family life -- Economics of aging -- Work, retirement, and leisure -- Politics of aging -- Religion and aging -- Part V : Special issues in aging -- Racial and ethnic aging -- Living environments of the elderly -- Long-term care / Ruth E. Dunkle, Cary S. Kart, and Van H. Luong -- Health policy and aging -- Death and dying / Cary S. Kart and Eileen S. Metress -- Epilogue : Education and careers in the field of gerontology
