With articles reprinted from the "Journal of Aging", this book focuses on ageing, the self and community. Topics discussed include: human action and its place in theories of ageing; the impact of emotional support for single women; and old people's organizations as a context for ageing.

Part 1 The life course: "course" versus "cycle" - on the understanding of ageing, Haim Hazan
the disclosure of age in involuntary commitment proceedings, James A. Holstein
human action and its place in theories of ageing, Dale Dannefer. Part 2 Self: the significance of personal objects to older people, Robert L. Rubinstein
illness, biography and the interpretation of self following a stroke, Sharon Kaufman
culture in the use, care and control of the ageing body, Catherine Hagan Hennessey
professionals beyond midlife - some observations in work satisfaction in the 50- to 60-year decade, David A. Karp. Part 3 Caregiving: caregiving - the impact of emotional support for single women, Cynthia S. Burnley
measurement and the interpretation of burden in the Alzheimer's disease experience, Jaber F. Gubrium and Robert J. Lynott
dependence, interdependence and reciprocity after eighty, G. Claire Wenger
the burdens of parent care - a critical review of recent findings, Sarah Matthews
the ambiguities of social support - adult daughters caring for frail elderly parents, Emily Abel. Part 4 Communities: moving beyond familism - potential contributions to gerontological theory to studies of chico/Latino ageing, Steven P. Wallace and Elisa Linda Facio
"that's what it's all about" - old people's organizations as a context for ageing, Dorothy Jerrome
a wheelchair society - the nursing home scene, Janice A. Smithers. Part 5 Policy: vulnerability in old age - the issue of dependence in American society, Melissa A. Hardy
ageing is a woman's problem - issues faced by the female elderly population, Laura Katz Olson
social security and support of the elderly - the western experience, John Myles.