[Social-gerontological theories of the situation in the lives of the aged--a discussion on geroprophylaxis (author's transl)].

The contribution discusses the most important theories which chiefly refer in a mainly sociologically orientated way to the explanation of the various forms of the process of aging: activity- and disengagement-theory. Both theories have had an exceptionally strong influence on scientific soziological research since they had become known and the result of this research has made a modification of the theoretical onset necessary. The conclusions to be drawn under socio-economical points of view under, respect of the theory of socialisation, sociology of knowledge and socioeducational points of view will be explained at the end of the contribution.