[The rehabilitation potential of the elderly]

This contribution points to the existence of potentials for rehabilitation in the elderly and underlines the necessity of rehabilitation in chronically ill patients. Especially important for the success of rehabilitation is a differential diagnosis and treatment. The potentials for rehabilitation differ among the several functions, abilities, and skills. For this reason, a differential profile of the rehabilitation potentials is necessary. Theoretical and empirical contributions to the plasticity, to developmental potentials, and to competence in the elderly form the basis for prognosis of rehabilitation potentials in old age. It is made clear that realizing these potentials is not only a task of the patient, but is also dependent on the ecological and social environment.