At the heart of all policies of supporting people to live and thrive into old age lies the concept of home. Yet there is a vacuum where policies concerning housing issues should be, and such policies as exist are profoundly ageist and often based on a medical model of disability. The authors of this volume share a commitment to see the issues of later life and housing re-thought to address more adequately the diverse needs and preferences of a group who constitute around one quarter of the population. The book has three strands; to uncover the theoretical origins of accepted practice; to present a critique of the present policies and to consider new theories, ideas and methodologies for achieving user centred changes. The central aim of the book is to reduce the present dissonance between older people's needs and preferences and those of policy makers and practitioners.

It has been written for students and researchers of social and public policy, social work, health care, community care, housing studies and social gerontology; and for professionals involved with older people such as social and community care workers.