Social Aspects of Aging in Indigenous Communities

This book represents a collection of chapters by authors committed to Indigenous aging around globe and older adults’ contributions to their social, economic, and cultural environments. As the number of older people around the world continues to increase, it is important for families, communities, governments, and nations to have a better understanding of their older adults and their unique contributions, as well as their interests and needs, to ensure that they are able to age with dignity and respect and contribute to the overall health and well-being of their people and environments. The volume will include chapters from authors representing Indigenous populations from many parts of the world, who describe; 1) research studies on the social aspects of aging among Indigenous populations, including cultural, social, and/or economic contributions of older Indigenous adults in their communities, 2) perceptions of aging and well-being among international Indigenous populations, 3) theories about Indigenous aging, and 4) policy and intervention practices (i.e., programs and services) related to older Indigenous adults. The book’s chapters also point to current and emerging areas of tension and challenges facing Indigenous older persons due to economic, social and other changes in society.

Jordan P. Lewis, Aleut, Native Village of Naknek, is the Associate Director of the Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team and Professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus. He received his MSW from Washington University in St. Louis and his PhD in Cross Cultural Community Psychology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. His expertise is in Indigenous successful aging, generativity and healthy aging, and cultural constructions of Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias. He developed the concept of Indigenous cultural generativity, and the role of cultural practices and generativity in dementia caregiver health and wellbeing.

Tuula Heinonen, Professor Emerita at the Faculty of Social Work, University of Manitoba, holds an MSW from McGill University, a DPhil from the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, and an Advanced Diploma in Art Therapy from Vancouver Art Therapy Institute. Her scholarly interests include arts-based methods in teaching, research and writing, international social work, aging of women across different cultural contexts and social work in the health field. She has authored or co-authored numerous journal articles and books and continues to teach, supervise graduate students and write since her retirement from the University of Manitoba, Canada, in 2018.