[Rehabilitation and gerontology (author's transl)].

The 9th congress of the GDR Society for Rehabilitation was organized jointly with the GDR Society for Gerontology and held from 4 to 6 January 1977. The article outlines observations made at and conclusions derived from this important scientific event. Three major problems were discussed: rehabilitation of chronically ill and handicapped persons of advanced age within the working process as a task for society as a whole; the combination between gerontology and rehabilitation as a result of the change in the age and morbidity structures of economically advanced countries; beginnings and first experience in the field of gerontology-oriented rehabilitation in the GDR and recommendations made by WHO on the planning and organization of geriatric services with special consideration for rehabilitation in advanced age.