James C. Fisher, Henry C. Simmons

• Acknowledgments Introduction Audience Individual Experience of Age Overview Chapter 1. Mapping the Journey Landmarks on the Road Ahead The Research The Tasks on the Road Ahead Conclusion Chapter 2. Entering Older Adulthood Retirement Time of Retirement Postretirement Employment Retirement Variations Other Gateways What About Homemakers? The Core Moving Out, Letting Go The Challenge of Looking Ahead Chapter 3. Extended Middle Age Length of Days Giving Time New Meaning A Season in Search of a Purpose A Substitute for Work Middle-Aged Forever Relationships and Solitude Aloneness and Independence Balancing Gains and Losses The Role of Helping Professions Chapter 4. The Early Transition Voluntary and Involuntary Approaches Betwixt and Between Naming the Realities Consequence of an Illness Death and Loss in Later Life Loss and Recovery Meaning and Relationships Growth in Recovery Differences and Similarities Preparing for the Early Transition Chapter 5. An Older Adult Lifestyle Who Survived? Reinventing the Self The Others in Life Freedom Purposes and Priorities Old Age Is Not for Sissies Chapter 6. The Later Transition The Role of Professionals and Support Persons Beginning the Journey Timing the Transition The Journey to Care Chapter 7. While the Light Lasts The Environment of Care The Challenge for the Professional Being Okay Amid Dependency and Frailty The Blessing of Care Engaging and Disengaging Is Autonomy a Contradiction? What’s the Point? Journeying On Chapter 8. Dying Well The Beginning The Medicalization of Dying The Professional and the Process of Dying Landmarks and Developmental Tasks of Dying Dying and Relationships Dying and Meaning Preparation The Need to Improve Care at the End of Life Epilogue. Prevailing: A Challenge and a Vision References Index