The article starts with an examination of some key paradigms of later life and then employs their insights to expose the powerful and deceptive discourse of 'independent living', which has recently been one of social policy's most persuasive mantras. The theoretical perspective that informs the whole article is that of postmodernism with a critical gerontology perspective. The critique of independent living that the article offers is then applied within the overlapping area of housing and community care to a special case, that of physically impaired older people, in three separate but related instances: academic, policy and political. Taking a critique of independent living beyond theory into policy development may achieve a closer fit between what older people want their living environments to be and what they are currently presented with. Finally, rather more arguably, it may also result in a more cost-effective use of resources.
Achenbaum, A. (1997) 'Critical Gerontology', pp. 16- 26 in A. Jamieson, S. Harper and C. Victor Critical Approaches to Ageing and Later Life. Buckingham: Open University Press.
2.
Bernard, M. and Phillips, J. (2000) 'The Challenge of Ageing in Tomorrow's Britain', Ageing and Society 20(1): 35-54.
3.
Better Government for Older People (2000) All Our Futures. Wolverhampton : Better Government for Older People Programme.
4.
Brenton, M. (1998) We're in Charge: Co Housing Communities of Older People in the Netherlands: Lessons for Britain?Bristol: Policy Press.
5.
Clapham, D. (1997) 'Problems and Potential of Sheltered Housing', Ageing and Society17(2): 209-14.
6.
Clapham, D. and Smith, S. (1990) 'Housing Policy and Special Needs' , Policy and Politics18(3): 193- 206.
7.
Clapham, D., Means, R. and Munro, M. (1993) 'Housing, the Life Course and Older People', pp. 132-48 in S. Arber and M. EvandrouAgeing, Independence and the Life Course. London: Jessica Kingsley.
8.
Clark, H., Dyer, S. and Horwood, J. (1998) That Bit of Help. Bristol: Policy Press.
9.
Evandrou, M (1997) Baby Boomers: Ageing in the 21st Century. London: Age Concern.
10.
Featherstone, M. and Hepworth, M. (1989) 'Ageing and Old Age: Reflections on the Post Modern Life Course', pp. 143 -57 in B. Bytheway, T. Keil, P. Allat and A. BrymanBecoming and Being Old. London: Sage.
11.
Gilleard, C. (1996) 'Consumption and Identity in Later Life: Towards a Cultural Gerontology', Ageing and Society16( 4): 489-98.
12.
Gurney, P. and Means, R. (1993) 'The Meaning of Home Life in Later Life', pp. 119- 31 in S. Arber and M. EvandrouAgeing, Independence and the Life Course. London: Jessica Kingsley .
13.
Hancock, R. (1997) 'Financial Resources in Later Life', pp. 59-85 in M. EvandrouBaby Boomers: Ageing in the 21st Century. London: Age Concern.
14.
Heywood, F., Oldman, C. and Means, R. (2002) Housing and Home in Later Life. Buckingham : Open University Press.
15.
Higgs, P. (1995) 'Citizenship and Old Age: The End of the Road', Ageing and Society15(4): 535-50.
16.
Lloyd, L. (2000) 'Dying in Old Age: Promoting Well Being at the End of Life', Mortality5(2): 176-88.
17.
Lynott, R. and Lynott, P. (1996) 'Tracing the Course of Theoretical Development in the Sociology of Ageing', The Gerontologist36(6): 749-60.
18.
McCafferty, P. (1994) Living Independently: A Study of the Housing Needs of Elderly and Disabled People . London: HMSO.
19.
Marshall, T. (1992) Citizenship and Social Class. London: Pluto Press.
20.
Means, R. (1987) 'Older People in British Housing Studies: Rediscovery and Emerging Issues for Research' , Housing Studies15(2): 82- 93.
21.
Minkler, M. (1996) 'Critical Perspectives on Ageing: New Challenges for Gerontology', Ageing and Society16( 4): 467-87.
22.
Moody, H. (1988) 'Towards a Critical Gerontology: The Contribution of the Humanities to Theories of Ageing', in J. Birren and V. BengstonEmergent Theories of Ageing. New York: Springer.
23.
Murie, A. (1993) Housing Inequality and Deprivation. London: Heinemann .
24.
Oldman, C. (2002) 'Later Life and the Social Model of Disability: A Comfortable Partnership', Ageing and Society22( 1): 1-16.
25.
Oldman, C. and Quilgars, D. (1999) 'The Last Resort? Revisiting Ideas about Older People's Living Arrangements', Ageing and Society19(4): 363-84.
26.
Peace, S. (1993) 'The Living Environments of Older Women', pp. 126-45 in M. Bernard and K. MeadeWomen Come of Age . London: Edward Arnold.
27.
Peace, S., Kellaher, L. and Willcocks, D. (1997) Re-evaluating Residential Care. Buckingham : Open University Press.
28.
Phillipson, C. (1998) Reconstructing Old Age: New Agendas in Social Theory and Practice. London: Sage.
29.
Royal Commission on Long Term Care (1999) With Respect to Old Age: A Report by the Royal Commission on Long Term Care . London: Stationery Office.
30.
Sixsmith, A. (1990) 'The Meaning and Experience of "Home" in Later Life', pp. 172-92 in B. Bytheway and J. JohnsonWelfare and the Ageing Experience. Aldershot : Avebury.
31.
Townsend, P. (1962) The Last Refuge: A Survey of Residential Institutions and Homes for the Aged in England and Wales. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.
32.
Townsend, P. (1963) The Family Life of Old People. Harmondsworth: Penguin.
33.
Townsend, P. (1981) 'The Structured Dependency of the Elderly: Creation of Social Policy in the Twentieth Century' , Ageing and Society1(1): 5- 28.
34.
Tulle Winton, E. (1999) 'Growing Old and Resistance: Towards a New Cultural Economy of Old Age?', Ageing and Society19( 3): 281-300.
35.
Vincent, J. (1999) Politics, Power and Old Age. Buckingham: Open University Press.
36.
Walker, A. (1981) 'Towards a Political Economy of Old Age', Ageing and Society1(1): 73-94.
37.
Wheeler, R. (1986) 'Housing Policy and Elderly People', pp. 217-33 in C. Phillipson and A. WalkerAgeing and Social Policy: A Critical Assessment. Aldershot: Gower.
38.
Williams, F., Popay, J. and Oakley, A (1999) Welfare Research: A Critical Review. London : UCL Press.
39.
Wilson, G. (1997) 'A Post Modern Approach to Structured Dependency Theory', Journal of Social Policy26(3): 341-50.
