Examines both novel and traditional paradigms that could extend our knowledge and understanding of the well-being of the oldest old.

1. Toward new directions in the study of well-being among the old-old Leonard W. Poon and Jiska Cohen-Mansfield; Part I. Theory: New Horizons in Well-Being Research: 2. From ageless self to selfless age: towards a theoretical turn in gerontological understanding Haim Hazan; 3. The pursuit of happiness: alternative conceptions of subjective well-being Dov Shmotkin; 4. The shifting baseline theory of well-being: lessons from across the aging spectrum Jiska Cohen-Mansfield; 5. The model of developmental adaptation: implications for understanding well-being in old-old age Peter Martin, Neha Deshpande-Kamat, Leonard W. Poon and Mary Ann Johnson; Part II. Paradise Lost: Between Trauma and Happiness: 6. Does trauma linger into old-old age: using the Holocaust experience as a paradigm Dov Shmotkin, Amit Shrira and Yuval Palgi; 7. The impact of life events on the oldest old Peter Martin, Grace da Rosa and Leonard W. Poon; 8. Post-traumatic stress disorder and its treatment at late life Lee Hyer and Catherine A. Yeager; Part III. Pathways and Gatekeepers: Moderating, Mediating, and Proximal Processes: 9. Impact of resources on successful adaptation among the oldest old Maurice MacDonald and Jinmyoung Cho; 10. Nutrition and well-being Mary Ann Johnson, Dorothy Hausman, Peter Martin, Leonard W. Poon, Elisabeth Lilian Pia Sattler and Adam Davey; 11. Cognitive functioning and vitality and well-being among the oldest old: implications for well-being Jennifer Margrett, Benjamin Mast, Maria C. Isales, Leonard W. Poon and Jiska Cohen-Mansfield; 12. Social relationship and well-being in very late life Howard Litwin; 13. Spirituality and religiosity connections to mental and physical health among the oldest old Alex Bishop; 14. Impact of leisure activity and innovation on the well-being of the very old Galit Nimrod; Part IV. Signposting Paradise: Measurement of Well-Being: 15. Culture and meaning: strategies for understanding the well-being of the oldest old Christine L. Fry and Charlotte Ikels; 16. The will to live as an indicator of well-being and predictor of survival in old age Sara Carmel; 17. The measurement of life satisfaction and happiness in old-old age Alex Bishop and Peter Martin; 18. Late life psychotherapy: challenges and opportunities to enhance well-being in the oldest old Lee Hyer, Catherine A. Yeager and Ciera V. Scott; 19. Future directions in the study of well-being Jiska Cohen-Mansfield and Leonard W. Poon.