Old Age In Transition

Most studies of geriatric patients have focused on nursing homes. In fact, most people are placed in these institutions only after being evaluated by medical and social service staff. This ethnography details the day-to-day experiences of a geriatric and assessment unit by examining the staff, families, and patients themselves.

It looks at the activities that take place in the unit as well as the less obvious cultural patterns of the process. Using the Ethnography of Speaking method, it explores the human side of this most difficult of life's decisions. Review: .,. an excellent ethnography of The Geriatric Ward in Quebec....Woolfson uses his research to develop recommendations to improve staff relationships, patient care and case management, patient, family, and staff relationships, and the environment....This is a well-written, succinct book that is a good read for anyone interested in aging research.

In addition, this would make an excellent supplementary text to numerous undergraduate and graduate classes. -American Anthropologist