Senior citizens and old age

The proportion of older people as well as their life expectancy is continually on the increase in Germany. Both developments result from special demands of economic old-age provision, offered accommodation and transport services, and social inclusion and preventive healthcare of old people.

In the workshop of modern survey methodology: measuring individual grip strength – to be used in personal-oral surveys – is a (in the true sense of the word) good practical as well as reliable instrument for health measurement. This factor in particular is important in gerontology since human grip strength deteriorates with age.
Hearing aids have been developing from bulky, intricate devices to trendy, miniaturised lifestyle products. Hence their development follows the demands of many users. Research shows: stereotypes like granddad in his wingback chair with his hearing aid apply to a minor part of this age group only. Shaping life with age has become quite heterogeneous.
The project SHARE – "Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement" with its German title: „50+ in Europe“ – uses a panel approach to distinguish how life of people aged 50 or older changes in several European countries by referring to topics such as family background, work, retirement pay, financial security and health. 15 European countries participate in the SHARE survey. infas has been conducting the German part since the first wave.

How to handle age changes as well. Collectively separated age roles do not exist anymore. Individualisation and differentiation apply to old age as well. Differences between the old have never been as significant as today.

Regular topics of research at infas concerning age are:

  • ageing in flux,
  • health and old age,
  • attitude towards mid-adult life,
  • support between generations,
  • familial support in old age,
  • patterns of externalisation of companies and effects on older employees,
  • basic security and societal participation in old age,
  • education in old age,
  • evaluation of supportive measures, e.g. the German "law concerning need-oriented basic income in old age and with reduction in earning capacity".

Contact

Doris Hess

Head of Department Social Research

Tel. +49(0)228/38 22-413
d.hess(at)infas.de

Contact

Stefan Schiel

Project Manager

Tel. +49(0)228/38 22-424
s.schiel(at)infas.de