[Progress in psychogerontology at German universities]

The development of psychogerontology in Germany is described. First important publications in the 1950s and basic empirical investigations in the 1960s and 1970s were followed by the foundation of psychogerontological educational programs at the Universities of Kassel, Osnabrück-Vechta, Erlangen-Nuremberg and Heidelberg. With the foundation of the Deutsches Zentrum für Alternsforschung DZFA in 1996, German psychogerontology is now supported in a substantial way. In psychogeronotological research the Max-Planck-Institutions in Berlin and Munich play an influential role. Some major psychogerontological research projects and future developments in research are mentioned. Fundamental characteristics of the psychogerontological educational programs at the Universities of Kassel, Osnabrück, Erlangen-Nuremberg and Heidelberg are presented finally.