This book captures the essence of the ‘Ageing and the Lifecourse’ series, based on critical gerontology and lifecourse perspectives. Drawing on US and European literature it provides a refreshing, topical and challenging approach to the dominant models of later life, and by highlighting the increasing diversity in experience and changing social context it gives an opportunity to rethink the notion of transitions in later life. It sets out a framework for looking at the changing understandings and concepts of later life and has considerable relevance for appropriate policy and practice responses.

Transitions are fundamental to our experiences across the lifecourse, particularly in later life. As the book highlights, there are various underlying tensions in arriving at a common interdisciplinary definition of ‘transition’: whether it has fixed stages or is a fluid process, is about continuity or change, and the tension inherent when viewing transitions within normative age- and stage-based assumptions.

For many, a fixed view of change into decline in older age is a one-way street of service provision; but Grenier challenges this, putting forward fresh models for rethinking transitions in later life that call for a more flexible approach, and one that does not stigmatise those who do not fall within the concept of successful or healthy ageing. Her analysis is based on a review of theory, policy and practice and centrally incorporates older people's voices. The contemporary context in which ageing occurs and the increasing diversity of the ageing experience along with the attention to subjectivity has challenged our notions of transitions and can enable policy and practice to move forward with more flexible arrangements.

Students and academic scholars in gerontology, professionals in social work and social care practice and policy makers who base their actions on their understandings of change and transition in later life will be attracted to this text.