Folk medicine is an important informal and traditional system of social health care support that is still wisely used in many nations including rural regions of the southern United States. This volume provides new insight into the various conditions and structures that help to account for the development and persistence of folk medicine in societies. The authors focus on older, primarily female, black users of folk medicine; the problem of trust in folk and modern doctor-patient relationships; the need for communication and information exchange between folk and modern medical doctors; and a variety of social, cultural, and psychological factors related to drug misuse among the poor, the elderly, rural and uneducated consumers of health services.

In The Black Elderly: Satisfaction and Quality of Later Life, authors Marguerite Coke and James Twaite present the results of an empirical study of factors that influence the well-being of older black Americans. Like all older individuals in industrial nations, elderly blacks are confronted with negative attitudes toward old people. But in spite of their minority status in society, with its economic and social disadvantages, elderly blacks have effective coping strategies for dealing with growing old. It is the success of these coping strategies that the authors reveal to readers and upon which they build recommendations to encourage healthy aging in the black community.Through comprehensive research into the subject, the authors provide readers with a theoretical framework which identifies the variables that are most closely associated with subjective well-being among older Blacks. An empirical test of the model is described and the questionnaire is included.Professionals and scholars in social work, gerontology, African-American studies, and anthropology will find The Black Elderly a positive approach to supporting the elderly black community. Readers with interests in cross-cultural aspects of counseling and gerontology will find much enlightenment in this book with its research and insight on: history: overviews West African culture and the role of history in the development of the black American family church: analyzes the function and importance of this institution on the black community family: explores the importance of family and how it affects life satisfaction health: determines how perceived health status affects individuals'feelings of life satisfactionThe authors'findings on the strong and diverse support systems of this group assist professionals, students, and policymakers in better understanding how to continue to effect healthy aging for black Americans. The Black Elderly is of particular interest to social workers, students in social work programs, and professionals who deal with aging persons or the black community and can benefit from historical background knowledge of blacks in this country and how societal institutions affect the well-being of this group.

Folk medicine is an important informal and traditional system of social health care support that is still wisely used in many nations including rural regions of the southern United States. This volume provides new insight into the various conditions and structures that help to account for the development and persistence of folk medicine in societies. The authors focus on older, primarily female, black users of folk medicine; the problem of trust in folk and modern doctor-patient relationships; the need for communication and information exchange between folk and modern medical doctors; and a variety of social, cultural, and psychological factors related to drug misuse among the poor, the elderly, rural and uneducated consumers of health services.

From angina and arthritis to high cholesterol and varicose veins, more than 1,500 remedies for 120 common ailments. Here's the at-home healing guide written especially for seniors, from the people who know home remedies best -- the editors of The Doctors Book of Home Remedies. This indispensible resource shares advice and easy self-help solutions from more than 350 doctors who specialize in the health concerns of older men and women. Here are steps you can take to avoid common problems associated with aging, solutions to problems you may already have, advice on when you should consult a doctor, and how to manage your medications. So whether it's a serious issue such as prostate problems or an everyday complaint such as back pain, you'll find the answers inside: Age Spots * Anemia * Bone Spurs * Clumsiness * Constipation * Denture Discomfort * Diabetes * Diarrhea * Eczema * Emphysema * Fatigue * Foot Pain * Gallstones * Glaucoma * Gout * Hair Loss * Hearing Loss * Hip Pain * Incontinence * Insomnia * Lowered Sexual Desire * Macular Degeneration * Memory Loss * Neck Pain * Phlebitis * Poor Appetite * Sciatica * Shingles * Snoring and Sleep Apnea * Tinnitus * Ulcers * Urinary Tract Infections * and much more A comprehensive guide to staying fit, energetic, and pain-free, The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Seniors brings you the safest, simplest ways to live better longer ... without a prescription or a doctor's visit.