Contemporary Images of Age and Ageing: Vulnerability, Strengths and Developmental Potentials

An illustrated talk by Professor (Dr.) hc Andreas Kruse, Director of the Institute of Gerontology, University of Heidelberg; member of the German government’s Expert Commission for the German National Report on the Situation of Older People; ranked as one of the most prestigious gerontologists in Germany and was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, among others

 

Population ageing does not necessarily imply inevitable decreases in societies’ competitiveness or decreases in intergenerational solidarity. However, current demographic change contributes to an increasing societal (and also scientific) interest in possible contributions of older generations to development and cohesion of society. The respective question is approached from both an individual and a societal perspective, referring to actual and future resources and potentials of older people as well as to societal preconditions which have to be fulfilled for developing, expanding, and realizing potentials of older people