Geographical gerontology : the constitution of a discipline
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
Social Science and Medicine
Publication Date
7-1-2007
Volume
65
Issue
1
First Page
151
Last Page
168
Publisher
Pergamon Press
Keywords
Ageing, Geography, Gerontology, Place, Population, Space
Abstract
Health and healthcare have always been central considerations in geographical gerontology. This paper reviews progress in this part of the field over the past decade (1995-2006) and also looks to the future. It demonstrates how geographical gerontology is currently constituted of multiple fields of empirical interest studied by multiple academic disciplines. Specifically, the continuation and development of traditional perspectives on older population health-in terms of dynamics, distributions and movements-are traced, as well as emerging post-modern perspectives and qualitative approaches that sensitively investigate the complex relationships between older people and the varied places within which they live and are cared for. Mirroring theoretical developments and diversity in the social sciences, the future research challenges that lie ahead will involve the articulation of varied and often hidden cultural practices and social processes, and hitherto taken-for-granted-as well as new-social and spatial relations, between older people, health and place. If however geographical gerontology is to meet these challenges most effectively, there has to be greater collaboration and communication within and between its constituent disciplines and diverse empirical areas. This will help it become recognized to a greater degree as a distinct discipline.
DOI
10.1016/j.socscimed.2007.02.047
Print ISSN
02779536
E-ISSN
18735347
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 2007 Elsevier Ltd
Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Additional Information
Paper presented at the 11th International Medical Geography Symposium, Jul, 2005, Fort Worth, Texas.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Andrews, G. J., Cutchin, M., McCracken, K., Phillips, D. R., & Wiles, J. (2007). Geographical gerontology: The constitution of a discipline. Social Science and Medicine, 65(1), 151-168. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2007.02.047