title: [Centenarian--a contribution to longevity research].
abstract: During the last two decades an increase of research on centenarians can be observed. There are two aspects, which were analyzed mainly: 1. the problems of antecedents of extreme longevity and 2. the state of psycho-physical well-being of these very old persons. We analyzed some newer international studies on centenarians and discussed especially the findings of the "Würzburger Centenarian-Study" of Hans Franke and his staff. Aside from this a report is given on a biographical study on 40 centenarians from the Bonn-Cologne area under the special aspect of coping-styles. From these and other studies a high degree of interindividual variability can be concluded even in this very old-age group. There apparently is no age-limit for the maintenance of interindividual differences in aging as predicted by some authors. And there is no general age-limit for the maintenance of independence and social competence.
authors.affiliation: Instituts für Gerontologie, Universität Heidelberg.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Lehr
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D007326:Institutionalization; D008136:Longevity; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012106:Research
vernacular_title: Hundertjährige--ein Beitrag zur Langlebigkeitsforschung.