The demographic imperative and the high prevalence of mental disorders in older adults make mental health and illness in an aging population, one of the great public health challenges of the coming generation. This challenge has the potential for an overwhelming impact on health and social services worldwide. However, their impact may be mitigated by the opportunities provided by the wide ranging research, education and innovative services described in this volume by our internationally representative group of authors. The volume provides a broad perspective from ‘successful’ aging to the understanding and management of the common clinical disorders of old age with a special focus on dementia, balancing the need for a cure and continuing care.