Age-Friendly Cities: A Social Work Perspective

• Title – Age-Friendly Cities: A Social Work Perspective

• Author – Amanda S. Barusch

• Genre – Sociology, Gerontology

• Type – Article

• Publication Date – July 30, 2013

• Publisher – Journal of Gerontological Social Work

• Medium – Journal

• Available at – Journal of Gerontological Social Work (via Taylor & Francis Group)

• Link – https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/01634372.2013.826563

• Synopsis – This editorial makes the case for social work involvement in the movement to make cities more “age-friendly.” 

Refining the Narrative Turn

• Title – Refining the Narrative Turn

• Subtitle – When does story-telling become research?

• Author – Amanda Barusch

• Type – Scholarly Paper presented at the Gerontological Society of America

• Date – Nov. 16, 2012

• Medium – PDF

• Available at – amandabarusch.com

• PDF – Refining the Narrative Turn

• Synopsis – This illustrated paper was presented to the Gerontological Society of America. It defines “narrative research” and proposes three criteria for evaluating its quality: giving the storyteller (interviewee) plenty of time and freedom to develop a coherent narrative; completing data analysis that addresses not only the content, but also the form of the narrative; and interpreting the data in ways that respect context as well as narrative intent.

The Aging Tsunami: Time for a New Metaphor?

• Title – The Aging Tsunami: Time for a New Metaphor?

• Author – Amanda S. Barusch

• Genre – Sociology, Gerontology

• Type – Article

• Publication Date – April 2, 2013

• Publisher – Taylor & Francis Group

• Medium – Journal

• Available at – Taylor & Francis Group

• Link – https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01634372.2013.787348

• Synopsis – This (widely cited) editorial argues that the tsunami metaphor is degrading and inaccurate. It should be replaced.

Envy Is Ignorance

• Title – Envy Is Ignorance

• Author – Amanda Barusch

• Genre – Memoir

• Type – Short Story

• Publication Date – 2010

• Publisher – Bravado (18, p. 44-45)

• Medium – Magazine

• Available at – amandabarusch.com

• PDF – Envy Is Ignorance

• Synopsis – This autobiographical essay explores envy, shame, and guilt in the context of a horrible murder.

Love and Ageism

• Title – Love and Ageism

• Subtitle – A Social Work Perspective

• Author – Amanda Smith Barusch, PhD

• Genre – Sociology, Gerontology, Love, Romance, Relationships

• Type – Article

• Publication Date – Feb 1, 2009

• Publisher – Social Work Today

• Medium – Magazine

• Available at – Social Work Today

• Link – https://www.socialworktoday.com/archive/011909p12.shtml

• Synopsis – Looking at an older couple kissing, a young woman once said, “Euuw. The idea of old people having sex makes me squirm.” This article responds to that.

Sea Change

• Title – Sea Change

• Author – Amanda Barusch

• Genre – Memoir

• Type – Short Story

• Publication Date – Dec. 12, 2008

• Publisher – Journal of Aging, Humanities, and the Arts. Official Journal of the Gerontological Society of America. Volume 2, 2008 - Issue 3-4: Historical Perspectives on Older Women's Struggle for “Security” in Old Age

• Medium – Journal

• Available at – Taylor & Francis Online

• Link – https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19325610802558035

• PDF – Sea Change

• Synopsis – An autobiographical essay about losing a parent.

Love Stories of Later Life

• Title – Love Stories of Later Life

• Subtitle – A Narrative Approach to Understanding Romance

• Author – Amanda Smith Barusch

• Genre – Love & Romance, Marriage & Adult Relationships, Sexuality, Gerontology, Social Work, Psychology

• Type – Book

• Publication Date – March 13, 2008

• Publisher – Oxford University Press

• Medium – Ebook, Hardcover

• Available at – Amazon

• Link – https://a.co/d/bVfdryf

• Synopsis – Even with baby boomers retiring and greater media and research attention being lavished on older people, most gerontologists have studiously avoided examining romance among the elderly. Love Stories of Later Life is an appealing and eye-opening remedy to this neglect, as leading gerontologist Amanda Smith Barusch presents original research into what love and romance mean in seniors' lives. The result is a glimpse into a world many people didn't know existed - that of romantic love in later life.
  Unlike superficial guidebooks that purport to help seniors find a new mate, Love Stories of Later Life integrates theory and the latest research on love and the aging process. Drawing on a wealth of personal narratives collected during a landmark five-year study, the book presents the lived experiences of older adults from all walks of life. It addresses the impact of common age-related changes, both emotional and physical, on romantic relationships and argues that love continues to sculpt our personalities and our lives, even in life's later decades.

• Professional Reviews:

  • “The 224 pages of Barusch's narrative provide a deep understanding of romance and love that younger generations can learn from and that older generations can reflect on and relate to in their lives. . . The stories and commentary from study participants that are woven into the text give this book a unique flare.”

    —Karon L. Phillips, Trust for America's Health, writing in the Journal of Women & Aging

  • “The book is delightful, hopeful and inspiring . . .I encourage both academic and public libraries to adopt this fine work.“

    —Stephen M. Marson, University of North Caroling, writing in Age and Aging

Gerontological Practice for the 21st Century

• Title – Gerontological Practice for the 21st Century

• Subtitle – A Social Work Perspective

• Authors – Virginia E. Richardson and Amanda S. Barusch

• Genre – Social Work, Gerontology

• Type – Book

• Publication Date – December 1, 2005

• Publisher – Columbia University Press

• Medium – E-book, Hardcover, Paperback

• Available at – Columbia University Press

• Link – https://cup.columbia.edu/book/gerontological-practice-for-the-twentyfirst-century/9780231107488

• Synopsis – Gerontological Practice for the Twenty-first Century meets the need for state-of-the-art information on practice approaches with older patients that are age-specific and empirically based, blend "micro" and "macro" views, and reflect current themes in the aging and social work fields. The book is designed as a text for students and as a professional resource for practitioners. Clearly written, the book offers an expert and comprehensive review of the current literature and focuses on issues relating to the most vulnerable older people. Gerontological Practice for the Twenty-first Century also features case illustrations throughout and brief end-of-chapter questions for review.
  
  The book has four parts. Part 1 reviews current and classic theories of aging and proposes an original framework for an integrative approach to practice with older people that incorporates both individual and policy-level interventions. The approach is based on current themes such as a life course perspective, heterogeneity, diversity, and inequality. Part 2 covers such common and important psychological problems among older individuals, as anxiety, depression, suicide, substance abuse, and dementia, and describes appropriate, evidence-based interventions. Part 3 considers the social psychological picture by discussing working with older families, end-of-life care, bereavement, and work and retirement. Part 4 focuses on core sociopolitical issues in the lives of older people: economic policy, poverty, health policy, quality-of-life concerns, and social services.
  
  Current, authoritative, and original, this single-volume gerontology resource will be of valuable use to graduate students and practitioners.

Social Forces and Aging

• Title – Gerontological Practice for the 21st Century (10th Edition)

• Subtitle – An Introduction to Social Gerontology

• Authors – Robert C. Atchley and Amanda S. Barusch

• Genre – Psychology & Counseling, Aging, Social Sciences, Sociology

• Type – Book

• Publication Date – July 21, 2003

• Publisher – Cengage Learning

• Medium – Hardcover

• Available at – Amazon

• Link – https://a.co/d/fg3HJOa

• Synopsis – Atchley and Barusch's interdisciplinary approach has produced a text that provides the concepts, information, insight, and examples students need to achieve a basic understanding of aging as a social process. Covering the physical problems, inner experiences, and instrumental needs of the aging, the text examines aging on both an individual and societal level. It covers major areas of theory, research, social policy, and practice in a clear and organized manner to make social gerontology accessible to students from all backgrounds. This text is the classic book for the course that continually keeps pace with the dramatic changes in the field, including new theories, research, programs, and issues. Atchley and Barusch first examine individual aging-and adaptation to aging in everyday life, then move on to explore the needs and demands that aging, as a phenomenon, presents to society, while also delving into society's response to aging.

Older Women in Poverty

• Title – Older Women in Poverty

• Subtitle – Private Lives and Public Policies

• Author – Amanda S. Barusch

• Genre – Social Work

• Type – Book

• Publication Date – January 1, 1994

• Publisher – Springer Pub Co

• Medium – Hardcover

• Available at – Amazon

• Link – https://a.co/d/eznew0p

• Synopsis – University of Utah, Salt Lake City. Gerontological study of the socioeconomic status of elderly women. Includes a chapter on health and health care. Based on interviews with sixty-two low-income older U.S. women. For gerontologists, public policy officials, or social workers.

• Endorsements:

  • "Excellent illustrations of the impact of poverty on issues such as self-concept, coping skills, caregiving, and cognitive responses of women born or drawn into poverty ... the book extends the research toward an action agenda that is both informed and creative."

    —Rosario Torres Raines, Texas A&M, writing for the Journal of Applied Gerontology.