This article addresses learning, educational and activity-related prospects upon entering into retirement age and the search for meaning in one's career associated with this. The topic is explored at various levels: first of all autobiographically taking the example of a new, self-employed orientation. At the second level, the case example can be interpreted as part of a societal trend towards activities crossing the age border. Finally prospects for the topic in the context of adult education facilities are discussed.

Every educational event inevitably comes to an end. A »good« ending to educational events is - in contrast to their opening - often not sufficiently reflected upon in didactical terms. Ulrich Papenkort's article focuses attention on this subject, which has received little attention from the field of research to date. By distinguishing between »opening«, »a retrospective look«, »criticism«, »look forward« and »farewell«, new possibilities for designing a successful conclusion to teaching/learning processes can be discovered.

Very old people in particular live in a »mode of bidding farewell«. The »dictates of death« gains increasing importance in this phase of life compared to the »dictates of life«. The author shows how activation and a resource-oriented approach can even help persons suffering from dementia or dying persons to experience their existence as something that they can actively shape. This yields important educational insight in the training of medical specialists, voluntary workers and family members.