Differentiating ageing and old age it is argued that a separate life stage “old age” is to be understood as a social construction. Ageing must not be conceptualized as a uniform and unidirectional process. Instead, physiological-biological, psychological, and social ageing are somehow independent processes following different developmental curves. Focussing on old age as a whole makes clear that gains as well as losses are characteristic for this life stage. Both aspects should be incorporated …
Education for elderly people has continuously increased in significance against the background of demographic developments. Primarily the group of the “young old“ has been in the centre of scientific exploration and practical educational work. For a long time the theme old age has been shielded. The author shows development lines and blind spots of old age research and old age education and pleads for a re-orientation of the educational approach in the context of relatives care. Thereby she foc…
Citizens’ involvement increasingly gains appreciation in the public perception. Also in the adult pedagogical discourse the attention is raised in the context of lifelong learning. In this contribution the author discusses how learning processes in adult education, that take place in a societal action context, can be supported, guided or even initiated. On the basis of own empirical inquiries the author examines citizens’ involvement as an action- and learning field and asks for learning experi…