This well-established and accessible text has been completely revised in this expanded fifth edition. Each chapter has been updated, often extensively, to reflect current thinking, and an important new chapter on death, dying and bereavement has been added. Providing a comprehensive overview of the psychological processes of ageing, the text examines what constitutes older age, and presents the latest theory and research in various domains, including ageing and memory; ageing and language; ageing, personality and lifestyle; and mental illness and ageing. Consideration is given to the problems inherent in measuring the psychological status of older people, and the author looks to the future to answer the question 'what will constitute 'being old'?' This new edition is essential reading for all those working or training to work with older people, and a key text for students.