Image of Life in Old Age

Within the scope of the Foundation's focus on "Age and Demographics," the Robert Bosch Stiftung actively works toward entrenching a new, more nuanced image of old age and aging in our society. The idea is not simply to create a more positive image, but instead to provide a more realistic look at topics related to aging. This is because the image of the elderly is too often used in a one-sided manner in conjunction with issues pertaining to the social safety net and the need for elderly care - although only 9 percent of the population over 60 actually requires such care.

In addition, old age is associated with a lack of physical and mental capability and a dwindling ability to innovate - despite the fact that such associations are not scientifically tenable. At the same time, the innovative potential and the wealth of expertise the elderly possess as well as the importance of an active elderly population to society as a whole is often ignored. Not only does the established image of the elderly have an effect on how different generations cooperate and get along in an aging society, but also on the expectations people have of their own aging process and their personal situation in old age.