Table 1.

Sample characteristics

	Study sample
	Abs.	Percentage (%)
Age (Years)
75–79	221	58.9
80–84	118	31.5
85–89	33	8.8
90–94	3	0.8
Sex
Female	243	64.8
Male	132	35.2
Marital status
Single	30	8.0
Married	108	28.8
Widowed	215	57.3
Divorced	22	5.9
Level of education
Without graduation	0	0.0
Primary school	154	41.1
Secondary school	147	39.2
Abitura	54	14.4
University graduation	20	5.3
Vocational qualification
Unskilled	34	9.1
Worker	131	34.9
Employee	118	31.4
Entrepreneur	22	5.9
House-wife	70	18.7
Income per month
<250€	4	1.1
250–500 €	9	2.4
500–1,000€	122	32.5
1,000–1,500€	131	34.9
1,500–2,000€	70	18.7
2,000–2,500€	28	7.5
>2,500€	11	2.9

^aGerman school leaving examination and university entrance qualification