Ageing and quality of life. 2: Understanding successful ageing.

Older people are being maintained in their own homes for longer periods and at increasing levels of frailty since the widespread introduction of community care policies across Europe. In order to sustain a good quality of life such individuals are more reliant on support from both informal (family) and formal sources. If appropriate assistance is to be provided then there is a need for a better understanding of how older people maintain their self-esteem. This article provides additional empirical support for the processes of accommodation and immunization and illustrates how knowledge of these concepts is important to the development of improved services for older people.