Psychology of Aging

[This] is the textbook and resource that geropsychologists have needed for years. We finally have a leading-edge course book that offers scholarly knowledge about the most timely and essential topics of the biological, psychological and social aspects of the aging process. This collection of chapters is truly interdisciplinary, and covers both the scientific base and clinical application of each subspecialty. The editors have accomplished this undertaking by bringing together an assemblage of contributing authors who are the renowned rising stars in geropsychology. They are the new experts with the most current scientific knowledge. All the chapter authors cover their complex topics with clarity, depth, and reflection, along with providing up-to-date references and discussion questions for classes. This textbook will serve as a stand-alone resource for graduate and advanced undergraduate geropsychology courses. We can now archive our outdated textbooks and replace them with this state-of-the-art resource!--Margaret Norris, PhD Brian Yochim and Erin Woodhead have created an invaluable tool for learning about and teaching geropsychology...This book will serve as a seminal text in training psychologists, social workers, and many other disciplines in the psychology of aging.--Erin E. Emery-Tiburcio, Ph.D., ABPP "Rush University, Chicago, IL" The book goes well beyond the information in undergraduate texts and provides stimulating and useful coverage of key topics in biopsychosocial aging. Psychology is not prepared for the future growth of our older adult population, and I suggest Psychology of Aging: A Biopsychosocial Perspective as required reading for students--William E. Haley, PhD, Professor "School of Aging Studies; University of South Florida, Tampa, FL" This book distinguishes itself from previous publications on the topic with a thorough review of the history of the profession of geropsychology and its timely inclusion of chapters on brain imaging techniques and the aging brain, cultural differences in aging ethnic and sexual minorities, cognitive interventions, and more. This book is a must read for undergraduate and graduate students studying aging, and one I will definitely recommend to students new to the area.--Sherry A. Beaudreau, ABPP "VA Palo Alto Health Care System and Stanford University School of Medicine"

Brian Yochim, PhD, ABPP, is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist at the VA Saint Louis Health Care System, where he works primarily with older adults in a neuropsychology clinic and a Community Living Center (CLC). He completed a PhD from Wayne State University, an internship in clinical geropsychology at VA Palo Alto Health Care System, and a postdoctoral fellowship in clinical neuropsychology at VA Northern California Health Care System. He has worked as an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, where he helped to develop a PhD training program in clinical psychology with an emphasis on aging, and at VA Palo Alto Health Care System where he performed research and clinical work with older Veterans. He is a past president of the Society of Clinical Geropsychology (Division 12, Section 2 of the American Psychological Association [APA]) and has served in various roles for the Society for Clinical Neuropsychology (Division 40 of the APA). Since 2006 he has taught graduate courses in the psychology of aging and clinical neuropsychology. He enjoys integrating his clinical experience with his teaching and research. Erin Woodhead, PhD, is Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, San Jos State University, where she teaches classes in the areas of lifespan development, psychology of aging, addictions, ethical and legal issues for mental health professionals, and clinical psychology. Dr. Woodhead completed her Masters and Doctoral degrees at West Virginia University in Clinical Psychology, and completed postdoctoral fellowships in Geropsychology at Rush University Medical Center and at the Geriatric, Research, Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC) at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. Dr. Woodheads research is in the areas of age-related differences in mental health services use and age-related differences in the symptoms and outcomes of mental health and substance use disorders.

1. Introduction to the Psychology of Aging: Brian P. Yochim, Ph.D., ABPP Section 1: Biological Underpinnings of Aging 2. Biological Theories of Aging: Brian P. Yochim, Ph.D., ABPP 3. The Aging Body and Age-Related Health Conditions: J. Kaci Fairchild, Ph.D., Kari A. Haws, Ph.D., and Christie Mead, M.A. 4. Changes to the Brain: Methods of Investigation, Aging, and Neuroplasticity: Tyler A. Rickards, Ph.D., Juliana Baldo, Ph.D., and Brian P. Yochim, Ph.D., ABPP Section 2: Psychological Components of Aging 5. Personality and Emotional Development: Erin L. Woodhead, Ph.D. 6. Mental Health and Aging: Erin L. Woodhead, Ph.D., Preston Brown, and Victor Kwan, M.A. 7. Cognition and Aging: Spring Gehring, M.A., Kyrstle Barrera, Ph.D., and Brian P. Yochim, Ph.D., ABPP 8. Cognitive Reserve and Cognitive Interventions: Nicholas Bott, Psy.D. and Maya Yutsis, Ph.D., ABPP 9. Neurocognitive Disorders in Late Life: Brian P. Yochim, Ph.D., ABPP 10. Relationships, Families, and Aging: Changes in Roles with Aging: Rachel Rodriguez, MPH, Ph.D., ABPP and J.W. Terri Huh, Ph.D., ABPP 11. Aging, Work, and Retirement: Harvey L. Sterns, Ph.D. and Cynthia McQuown, M.A.Ed Section 3: Social Aspects of Aging 12. Death and the Dying Process, Bereavement, and Widowhood: Andrea June, Ph.D. and Meghan Marty, Ph.D. 13. Cultural Differences in Aging Experiences of Ethnic and Sexual Minority Older Adults: Kimberly E. Hiroto, Ph.D. and Sarah Yarry, Ph.D. 14. Aging and the Legal System: Sheri Gibson, Ph.D. and Magdalene Lim, Psy.D.