[Resources in old age]

General results of the psychological research on aging lead to the hypothesis that demands during the life cycle are accomplished the better, the more general and the more specific resources the individual disposes of. The analysis of four surveys on elder people shows that health, income, social integration, knowledge about aging, plans for retirement, good ecological conditions, life satisfaction, and a low age seem to be general resources. In addition there are some specific resources. The relevance and the necessary differentiation of the resource-perspective in gerontology are discussed.