infas has been conducting the German Ageing Survey (DEAS) since 1996.
This is a representative panel survey on the life plans, attitudes, needs and meaning structures of ageing people.
It is conducted by the German Centre of Gerontology (DZA), Berlin, and is characterized in particular by the fact that the life plans and life contexts of ageing people are examined from both a sociological and a psychological perspective.
On the one hand, the contents and structures of the conception of self and life are analyzed, and on the other hand, the conditions of the objective social situation and the resulting objective needs, the resources that can be mobilized and the concrete patterns of activity and participation.
infas conducts the DEAS surveys, in which various instruments are used.
The surveys for the German Ageing Survey are based on random samples of people from population registers.
The sample is stratified by age group, gender and east-west distribution, so that for the first survey there were roughly equal sub-samples for the three age groups of 40 to 54-year-olds, 55 to 69-year-olds and 70 to 85-year-olds.
The target persons willing to participate in the panel are surveyed every three years.
The population is increased every six years.
The survey consists of two phases: the oral face-to-face interview and a written self-completion (drop-off).
Since the 2017 survey, the drop-off can also be completed online.
Two tests are carried out during the oral interview.
Firstly, the lung performance (peak flow) of the target persons is measured, and secondly, a “number and drawing test” is carried out at the end of the oral interview, which measures the “psychomotor speed” of the target persons.
