[Social motives in visitors of a senior center]

This study dealt with senior citizens' motivation to participate in educational activities offered by non-institutional services for the aged. For this purpose 90 visitors of a senior citizens centre in Hamburg participating in several hobby and learning groups were interviewed in detail. As to the results, subjects primarily came to the centre because they were interested in special programmes. Also social motives turned out to be relevant for two-thirds of the sample as maximum value. Among those with social interests there were significantly more subjects living alone or living in unfavourable socio-economic conditions. The results indicate that continuous learning groups can be recommended as part of gerontological education. These groups should care for people's interests in special activities as well as for their social needs.