[Why is academic education in gerontology and geriatrics necessary?].

In contrast to the importance social and medical policies have acquired throughout the developed countries, universities in the Federal Republic of Germany do offer only few programs for scientific and professional education in this field. Nevertheless there is a still growing demand for more and better basic knowledge in all social and medical services concerned with the care of the elderly. This underlines the need for well-developed and wide-spread programs in gerontological and geriatric education, which in fact might enhance a better intergenerational understanding and communication and provide a more humane delivery of all kinds of services to the elderly.