The fourth stage in life: Gift or challenge? New guidebook

Bergisch Gladbach, 27 July 2026

People are getting older than ever before. But growing life expectancy also creates uncertainties for individuals and society as a whole: how to make use of the time gained, how to lead an active, self-determined life in financial security? A new practice-oriented guidebook written by Prof. Edmund Neugebauer, former MHB president (2019 – 2021), and Dr. Wilfried Rabe addresses the issue and is intended as a compass for the fourth stage in life. The book disproves the prejudice that aging must be passively endured and illustrates specific paths towards more quality of life and social participation.  

How to maintain independence and make use of potential

The authors describe chances that open up with aging, and ways to use them in order to maintain quality of life, independence and social participation as long as possible. The focus is on individuals as well as on the general challenges which demographic change poses to society and care systems.

The book addresses questions such as how to lead an active and fulfilling life in old age, how to assess the role of experience, commitment and social bonding, and how to realistically ensure financial security after retirement. Especially valuable is the practice-based analysis of care costs. The book gives an easily understandable description of saving potential in outpatient and inpatient nursing care, without losing sight of the quality of care.

Unique analysis of care costs

The genuine value of the book is its key focus on the detailed and unbiased analysis of care costs. With the steady increase in patients’ own contributions to care costs in mind, the book offers transparent guidance. It identifies specific saving potentials in outpatient and inpatient care. The guidebook demonstrates that targeted cost control is possible without having to compromise in terms of dignity and quality of care.

A guidebook for two generations

The book targets those of the generation 60+ who do not want to leave their future to chance, as well as their adult children who support their parents and are looking for reliable structuring aids. Integrated check lists and practical guidelines help to put the suggestions into practice.

Der vierte Lebensabschnitt: Geschenk oder Herausforderung? Ein neuer Ratgeber rund um aktives Altern und Pflegekosten (original title)

•    Proactive response to demographic change: How “Best Agers” can enjoy a self-determined and fulfilling life in retirement.
•    Financial information, no cost trap: Realistic analysis reveals unused saving potentials in outpatient and inpatient nursing care, without loss of quality.
•    Effective help in everyday life situations: Structured check lists offer orientation and advice for affected individuals and their families.
•    Recommendations for action: Specific recommendations on how to reduce and finance costs of care.

"Der vierte Lebensabschnitt" by Edmund Neugebauer and Wilfried Rabe, 208 pages, ISBN-13: 978369395179