C.C. Thomas

Gerontechnology; growing old in a technological society.

Just when you thought Gran could not get any weirder, up she comes with a video montage of family pictures with her original rap song on the audio. Lesnoff-Caravaglia (health sciences, Ohio U.) and contributors go far beyond entertainment and detail how technology has or has the potential to ameliorate, prolong, or even conclude human existence, with an emphasis on the practical pursuit of a healthy, long and rewarding life. They cover significant advances and future trends in linking gerontology and technology, discovering trends and challenges, understanding age-related changes to body systems (integumentary, skeletal, muscular, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, endocrine, immune, nervous, vision, hearing, and special sensory), ergonomic design for older adults, intelligent systems technology, robotics, mobility, and communications. The concluding article details gerontechnological ontology, or describing human experience within extraordinary frameworks such as the technologies to come. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Health aspects of aging; the experience of growing old, 2d ed.

Aging is viewed as a continuum that offers expanded opportunities for independence and dependence. As in his Gerontology: Growing Old in a Technological Society (C.C. Thomas, 2007), in this update of the 2000 edition, Lesnoff-Caravaglia (health sciences, Ohio U., Athens) emphasizes technology to treat the health problems of the growing numbers of persons 65 and older. In chapters explaining the challenges of aging by body system, he presents prevention and intervention strategies through technology: from cosmetic surgery and sensory aids to robotic Automated Guided Vehicle Systems. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Principles and practices of case management in rehabilitation counseling, 2d ed.

Written by professors at Auburn and VCU, this graduate textbook describes diagnostic and placement procedures for helping people with disabilities find and maintain gainful employment. The 13 case studies in final section provide a social, medical, psychological, vocational, education, and economic evaluation of a client for practice. The second edition adds a chapter on special education and vocational rehabilitation for teenagers. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

The use of the creative therapies with sexual abuse survivors.

Practitioners in each explore the use of art, play, dance, music, and drama to treat trauma related to sexual abuse. They describe how the various creative therapies are used to treat male and female survivors of sexual abuse, as well as children, teens, and adults. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)