Book Review
Elderly care: a world perspective
Ken Tout
ISBN: 0412476304; 1993; 335 pages; Chapman & Hall London;
Irene Bugeja
University of South Australia, SA
Elderly care: a world perspective edited by Ken Tout is a collection of readings from diverse geographical locations. Contributions have been made from a variety of nations which, in terms of economic development, could be described anywhere on a continuum from developed and industrialized to agrarian and non-developed. These include countries on the continents of North and South America, Africa, east and west Europe and Asia. The index acts as an effective guide to the contents and the countries of origin of the contributor. The book seeks to cover a wide range of socioeconomic matters which are concerned with a world wide demographic pattern of an increasing older population. The contributions are, in the main, from the discipline of social gerontology. It is evident from the readings that the difficulties faced by older people and those who plan their services in a diverse range of societies have remarkable similarities.
These include negative attitudes, the image of social uselessness and isolation. According to the book this is partially the result of a breakdown of the extended family in the undeveloped world and this trend is even more evident in the west. How these problems are dealt with is strongly influenced by the resources available to the community. Success is variable, however the book conveys an energy based on innovation to solve the problems and empowerment of the older people and their carers. An example of this is the chapter by Meredith Minkler which describes a project for socially isolated and marginalized older people in San Francisco. The program facilitates social integration by using Paulo Freire's approach to 'education for critical consciousness'.
The book illustrates universal aspects of ageing across a wide range of societies accompanied by rich diversity and difference. The editor claims to portray a panoramic view to act as a 'sampler' or 'taster' for new initiatives throughout the world. The editor's intent is to introduce readers to ideas from a wide variety of sources. It is envisaged that these can promote innovation in planning, practice and more indepth exploration concerning issues of a world wide increase in the population of older people. In this respect the book is successful.
Although it is recognized by the editor in the introductory chapter this is at the expense of depth, some of the contributions are unsatisfying and frustrating because of the attempt to discuss new ideas and explore complex issues in very short chapters. It will be necessary for interested readers to seek further information from other sources.
Further comment could be made that although source material comes from a wide range of locations, none of the contributors are Australian. Minimal representation of Australian material is evident and has been contributed by the editor. Speculation about why this has occurred stimulates interest because we share the problems with the rest of the world. Material from South East Asia is also absent. An additional concern is the minimal number of contributors who are nurses, when the issues and programs described encompass nursing work. In spite of these omissions the book is a valuable source of information.
This is offered in the form of experiences and innovations developed in other countries for those wishing to introduce programs for older people. In particular the book could offer valuable information for the externalization of nursing programs or consultancies in other countries with a focus on older people. Unfortunately direct information for nursing in our region of the Pacific or South East Asia is not available.
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