Summary

"As educators in gerontology, it continues to be our experience that many available texts on the physical changes associated with aging either present their material in highly technical terms beyond the comprehension of those without extensive basic science backgrounds or else skim over this area superficially. In the years since the sixth edition of this book was published, additional research on the physical changes that occur with aging has become available. However, it continues to be difficult to separate "normal" aging from pathology, even though it is widely recognized that such a distinction is both useful and necessary in fully understanding the impact of the aging process on the human body and its functions. Data from healthy older adults clearly show that the aging process is not necessarily as devastating as earlier research had indicated, and more effort is currently being directed to the prevention or moderation of age-related changes previously thought to be inevitable. This presents a much more positive and realistic view of aging and allows for greater personal control over our individual aging process by directing attention to significant lifestyle modifications and preventive health care strategies"--