Atchley's interdisciplinary approach has produced a text which 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, Atchley examines aging on both an individual and societal level. Atchley 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. The book is organized so that individual aging, and adaptation to aging in everyday life, is examined first. Atchley then moves on to explore the needs and resource demands that aging as a phenomenon presents to society. He then delves into society's response to aging.