The regional office of St. John's Accident Relief e.V. (Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe e.V.) in Cologne commissioned
nexus to conduct a study for the conceptualization of new and expanded areas of activity for providers of services to the elderly. The number of special services offered by St. John's Accident Relief has steadily grown in recent years. The potential for such growth is particularly great where the elderly are concerned. Promising new services were developed in five areas: (a) food, (b) mobility, (c) assistance with creating residential communities for senior citizens, (d) job placement for senior citizens, and (e) quality control in nursing homes.

The authors described what these five areas involve, studied them for their market potential and compatibility with existing special services, and specified further research that was needed if measures in these areas are to be introduced. The purpose of the study was therefore to help prepare for additional steps toward new special services.