"Ich verstehe die Welt nicht mehr. Sie ist mir abhandengekommen.": Zur Krankheit des Vergessens und ihrer Darstellung in der deutschen und österreichischen Literatur

The percentage of the elderly in Germany and Austria is increasing; people are having fewer children and some immigrants return home again. It has been estimated that by 2030 the population of people 65 and older in both countries will be about 17 percent. As seniors live longer, the number of age- related illnesses increases, esp. Alzheimer's disease. This places an enormous burden on the health care systems and on the family members who are acting as care givers. The literatures of Germany and Austria have taken up this topic, producing works that describe the various stages of this illness and off er hints for taking care of these seniors.