'Students of social policy will welcome the fourth edition of Anthea Tinker's classic text...;It is a mine of useful detail and source material and covers housing, the financial and employment position of older people and the role of the family and community as well as the health and personal social services in supporting older people. New sections consider some of the main effects of the last government's health and social services reforms...;Importantly it places emphasis on the social contribution of older people...;It provides a balanced overview written in the finest traditions of academic social administration, of one of the most important contemporary policy areas and is an essential text for students from a wide range of disciplines.' Community Care