The productive contribution by older adults to the lives of others through altruism and helping is the focus of this book, which provides a useful antidote to the view that the elderly are recipients rather than givers of help.

Following a brief historical survey of ageing treatments, the authors present their own theoretical model of successful ageing. Based on a carefully applied methodological review of research focusing on altruism and the elderly, the results reveal the relative frequency, nature, correlates and ramifications of the contributions they make.