Includes bibliographical references and index.

The spiritual dimension of ageing and people in need of care -- The studies of frail older people and staff in aged care -- Assessment of spirituality and spiritual needs: a developmental approach -- Meaning in life and frailty in the later years -- Wisdom, final meaning, the spiritual journey and frail older people -- Spiritual reminiscence: provisional and final meanings in frail older people -- The spiritual journey and mental health amongst older adults in need of care -- Meeting the challenge: older people with memory loss and dementia -- Worship and use of ritual among older people: different cultures, different religions; working in multifaith and multicultural societies -- Vulnerability and transcendence, living in a disintegrating body and failure to thrive -- Vulnerability, transcendence and living with physical health problems -- Relationship and intimacy needs among nursing home residents -- Grief, death, dying and spirituality in an aged care facility -- Ethical issues in the fourth age of life -- The model of spiritual growth and care in the fourth age of life.