[Elder care in nursing homes during national socialism in Germany]

The situation of the elderly during the Third Reich has hitherto been neglected by research. This paper deals with the living conditions and the fate of the aged in institutional homes in Saxony. Those no longer able to care for themselves were subjected to the aggressive social and military goals pursued by the National Socialists and were victimized in the organisation of medical care. Many conditions contributed to the destruction of their lives: not only the emptying of homes for the elderly to make room for military hospitals, disorienting relocation programmes, and the murderous "T4" programme, but also the death of children during the war, the destruction of property and the loss of a home due to forced dislocation.