Contrary to what is sometimes assumed, the elderly in the distant past could not always rely on voluntary care. Therefore, some of them had to develop strategies to secure assistance during old age. We focus on towns in the Low Countries, where family ties were weak, and ageing individuals likely had to plan for old age. We show how members of the middling layers of society could use wills and retirement contracts to ensure care provided by both kin and non-kin, and also to secure living standards during their final years. By recording such contracts, the elderly remained in control of their lives, despite their advancing years.

中文翻译：

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文艺复兴时期低地国家城镇的养老策略和老年人能动性

与有时假设的相反，遥远过去的老年人不能总是依靠自愿护理。因此，他们中的一些人不得不制定策略以在老年期间获得援助。我们关注低地国家的城镇，那里的家庭关系薄弱，老年人可能不得不为老年做计划。我们展示了社会中层的成员如何使用遗嘱和退休合同来确保亲属和非亲属提供护理，并确保他们在最后几年的生活水平。通过记录这些合同，老年人尽管年事已高，但仍能掌控自己的生活。