Written in the first instance for students in a broad range of fields from social gerontology to urban planning, this book may also be of interest to a wider audience, such as those involved in policy development or community-building programmes. As the book highlights, ageing populations are now placing increasing demands on existing health and social care systems worldwide. However, the author, Andrzej Klimczuk, stresses the importance of viewing ageing not as a problem, but as a challenge, and of the need to create new public and economic policies which are not only broad-ranging but also innovative.

The main message of this book is the fact that the world as we know it is changing. Alongside ageing populations there have been major changes in the way we work, with many traditional labour-intensive industries becoming automated, working hours being ever-more flexible and different forms of work emerging, such as the increase of people who are able to work, full or part-time, from home. The core argument made is that both the public and private sectors, alongside the informal and non-governmental sectors, need to find a way to utilise the skills of older people, rather than waste what could be a valuable resource. Klimczuk is an advocate for ‘creativity’, and discusses how this could be utilised in a positive way.

Looking at various forms of capital in Chapter 2 – economic, social, cultural and human – Klimczuk explains how these can result in ‘cumulative advantage or disadvantage’ (p. 20) as people grow older. He gives an example; in theory, Universities of the Third Age are open to all, however, in practice, the name ‘university’ in the title becomes a barrier to joining for many of those who are working class. Likening this to Bourdieu and his concept of ‘symbolic violence’, Klimczuk introduces the idea of ‘creative ageing’ as a way of helping societies to be more inclusive for all citizens. While research has already indicated that participation in leisure activities such as storytelling may lower the risk of dementia, Klimczuk also explores the idea that changes in the ageing brain help it to become more disinhibited, leading to an increase in creative thinking. Some have argued that ‘creative capital’ could be introducing a new level of stratification, as those who have been able to gather other forms of capital throughout their lives may be able to build on this to enhance their ‘creative capital’. However, Klimczuk states that evidence also exists which suggests the opposite. Detailing internal factors which can increase creativity in older adults – such as intelligence, personality and motivation – he claims that the growth of ‘creative capital’ can in fact be seen as emancipatory. Klimczuk contends that this will lead to the inclusion of more wide-ranging groups in community decision making, resulting in symbolic violence being reduced.

In Chapter 5, Klimczuk presents three economic systems associated with ageing populations: Silver, Creative and Social Economies. Maintaining that individually these systems cannot tap fully into the potential of older adults, he reasons that ‘using the perspectives of a mixed economy and a multisectoral approach’ (p. 75), the possibilities of combining them should be examined. Klimczuk argues that it is crucial to incorporate issues relating to ageing into all policy development, alongside the inclusion of stakeholders, i.e. older people themselves, in strategic planning.

Klimczuk introduces various theories and models, breaking many of them down into their component parts. On one hand, this made his writing appear very repetitive at times. However, on the other, as the book is primarily aimed at students, this format could be useful for those who are looking for straightforward information on a specific concept. A major strength of this book is that it is very ‘student friendly’. Each chapter ends with a summary, questions, suggested readings, websites and key terms. There is also a list of abbreviations, a detailed glossary and, at the end of the book, an extensive ‘notes’ section for each chapter.

Overall, this was an interesting read. In the Foreword, Harry Mood discusses the notion of ‘successful ageing’ which places emphasis on features such as physical, mental and social wellbeing. Moody contends that these are characteristics associated with youth and middle age which will inevitably decline as we advance in years. He questions, therefore, if by having the goal of ‘successful ageing’ we are in fact setting ourselves up to be viewed as failures. The original and generally positive approach taken by Klimczuk in examining the creative potential older people have to contribute to the economy could be one way to avoid this.