Ageing or aging is the process of becoming older. This traditional definition was recently challenged in the new "Handbook of the Biology of Aging" (Academic Press, 2006), where ageing was specifically defined as the process of system's deterioration with time, thus allowing for existence of non-ageing systems (when "old is as good as new"), and anti-ageing interventions (when accumulated damage is repaired). This article focuses on the social, cognitive, cultural, and economic effects of ageing. The biology of ageing is treated in detail in senescence. Ageing is an important part of all human societies reflecting the biological changes that occur, but also reflecting cultural and societal conventions.

Age is usually measured in full years (except for young children, where this downward rounding would be too crude) and a person's birthday is often an important event.

There is often considerable social pressure in many societies to sustain denial of the ageing process. Considerable energy, money and time is expended to hide signs of ageing, especially among women. This may involve dyeing hair, elaborate make-up, or even cosmetic surgery. Among the young, however, there is often a desire to seem older to gain more responsibility and respect.

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Research on Aging current issue

Growing Old in the Era of a High Prevalence of HIV/AIDS: The Impact of AIDS on Older Men and Women in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Munthree, C., Maharaj, P.Despite the important consequences that HIV/AIDS is likely to have for older people in South Africa, little empirical work has focused directly on this issue. However, emerging evidence suggests that older people are increasingly affected by the AIDS pandemic. In many households, older people often assume responsibility for the care of those who are sick and/ or dying and for children orphaned by AIDS. This study uses qualitative and quantitative methods to provide insights into the multiple impacts of the HIV/AIDS pandemic on the lives of older men and women. The results show that some older men and women feel at risk of HIV infection because of their caregiving activities. Almost 17% of respondents report that they have ever cared for someone with HIV/AIDS, with the percentage somewhat higher in rural areas. The study found that the impact of HIV/AIDS is substantial and is compounded greatly by gender dynamics in the household.
Impact of Role Discrepancies on Caregiver Burden Among Spouses
Savundranayagam, M. Y., Montgomery, R. J. V.Using caregiver identity theory, the authors investigated whether role discrepancies mediated the relationships between illness-related stressors (activities of daily living [ADLs] limitations and problem behaviors) and burden (stress, relationship, and objective burden) for spouse caregivers. Participants completed measures of identity standards for spouse and caregiver roles and behaviors, burden, assistance with ADLs, and problem behaviors. Structural equation modeling analyses revealed that role discrepancies completely mediated the relationships between ADLs and stress and relationship burden. Although role discrepancies mediated the relationships between problem behaviors and all forms of burden, there were direct relationships between problem behaviors and burden. Finally, participants who exceeded their relationship identity standards experienced greater burden. Supporting caregiver identity theory, the results suggest that ADL assistance is burdensome for caregivers when it highlights inconsistencies between their behaviors and their relationship expectations. However, unpredictable stressors such as problem behaviors are both inherently burdensome and highlight role discrepancies.
Filial Piety, Caregiving Appraisal, and Caregiving Burden
Lai, D. W. L.This study examined the effects of filial piety on the appraisal of caregiving burden by Chinese-Canadian family caregivers. A quantitative telephone survey was used as the research design for this study. A total of 339 randomly selected Canadian-Chinese family caregivers of elderly were interviewed by telephone. A hypothesized model denoting both the direct and indirect effects of filial piety on caregiving burden was tested using structural equation modeling. While stressors and appraisal factors reported direct predicting effects on caregiving burden, filial piety indirectly affected caregiving burden by altering appraisals of the caregiver role. Filial piety served as a protective function to reduce the negative effects of stressors and to enhance the positive effect of appraisal factors on caregiving burden.

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National Institute of Aging - Government site with information on research and practical resources for the aging population.

Administration on Aging - Comprehensive information and resources on aging.
Meta Description: [ The U.S. Administration on Aging is an agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is one of the nation's largest providers of home- and community-based care for older persons and their caregivers ]

Age Concern Waltham Forest - Non-profit organisation which provides a range of services and activities for older people. England.
Meta Description: [ Information on healthy ageing, welfare benefits, health, social care and other issues affecting older people in the london borough of waltham forest and how age concern waltham forest meets these needs and is organised ]

Aging Research Centre - Recent aging related articles on the biological implications of aging.
Meta Description: [ Provides a service for researchers and laymen to learn more about advances in the study of the aging process. ]

America's Senior Choice - America's Senior Choice is a non-profit association offering information, services, and benefits to the senior market.
Meta Description: [ America's Senior Choice is a non-profit association offering information, services, and benefits to the senior market. ]

Death, Aging and Rejuvenation - Discussion of possible causes of aging, methods of rejuvenation, and animation tools by Aleksandr Kavokin, MD, PhD.

ElderCare Online - Comprehensive library of articles, educational modules, and online support services for people caring for aging loved ones, and the professionals who serve them.
Meta Description: [ information and support for caregivers to the elderly with alzheimer's disease ]

Huffington Center on Aging: Geriatric Education and Research - Research center offers stories of seniors making the most of their senior years and information on aging. Includes newsletter in pdf format.
Meta Description: [ The Huffington Center on Aging, recently named a 'Center of Excellence'. Has programs in cell and molecular biology of aging, cardiovascular diseases, ethics and outcomes research. ]

Infoaging.org - Sponsored by the nonprofit (AFAR), this provides the latest research-based information on healthy aging.
Meta Description: [ Infoaging, developed by the American Federation of Aging Research (AFAR), delivers the latest research-based information about the biology of aging, healthy aging and the diseases of aging. Infoaging is designed to help consumers understand a wide variety of age-related topics, including caloric ... ]

International Association of Homes and Services for the Ageing - An international membership association that represents providers of care for the ageing in over 30 countries. Information on their mission and conferences.

International Longevity Center - A non-profit, non-partisan research and education organization in the US helping societies address longevity population aging in postitive productive ways. Press releases, reports, and essays.
Meta Description: [ Nonprofit, nonpartisan organization helping society navigate the age boom through research on ageism, healthy aging, caregiving, politics and health care, financing longevity, and sleep. ]

Long Term Care Link - A comprehensive, noncommercial source of long-term care information. Offers information and services in a broad range of categories. Its purpose is to educate the public on long-term care, give support and find services for caregivers and provide a public source of continuing education to long-term care advisors and providers.

Native Elder Health Care Resource Center - National resource center for older American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians

Pfizer Women's Health Resources - Resources for menopause, depression, GYN, allergies, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, sexual and reproductive health and other women's health issues, by the pharmaceutical company.
Meta Description: [ Pfizer Inc: The world's largest research-based pharmaceutical company. Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets leading prescription medicines for humans and animals and many of the world's best-known consumer brands. ]

Rejuvenex - Skin care line and multi-vitamin antioxidant formula are Professor Carmen Fusco's formulations. It enables skin cells to regenerate underlying collagen.
Meta Description: [ Rejuvenex Skin Care System enhances the skin's own ability to repair, renew and revitalize itself using Vitamin C and Grape seed extract, Pomegranate, Matrixyl and Ceramide ]

SAGE KE - Science of Aging Knowledge Environment. Science's online resource for researchers in the field of aging.

Senior Services of Island County - Provides services to seniors residing in Island County. Services include a senior center in Langley, Meals on Wheels, and senior activities.
Meta Description: [ Senior Services of Island County is the largest non profit agency serving seniors in the county. We are committed to promoting the personal independence and participation in the life and affairs of the community for seniors and people with disabilities throughout Whidbey and Camano Islands. ]

The Gerontological Society of America - A multidisciplinary national organization of professionals in the field of aging.

The Goodman Group - The Goodman Group is a national company comprised of four operating entities: Sage Company, which focuses primarily on developing and managing commercial properties, residential and senior living communities and health care facilities; John B. Goodman Limited Partnership, a development and
Meta Description: [ The Goodman Group is a national company comprised of four operating entities: Sage Company, which focuses primarily on developing and managing commercial properties, residential and senior living communities and health care facilities; John B. Goodman Limited Partnership, a development and design... ]

University of Wisconsin - Madison Institute on Aging (IOA) - Provides information about the Institute and its history, about research being conducted by IOA affiliates in aging, geriatrics and lifespan development, and about educational programs offered to UW-Madison students.
Meta Description: [ The UW Madison Institute on Aging, UW-Madison's Center for Aging Education, Research and Outreach ]

Harvard Medical Research: Aging - Agiing: health and research information from Harvard medical faculty

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