Status: 08/17/2021 6:35 p.m.
With a “DigitalPakt Alter” the federal government and associations want to support older people with access to smartphones and digital technology. Seniors and Family Minister Lambrecht presented the initiative in Berlin.
The Federal Seniors’ Ministry wants to make it easier for older people to access smartphones and digital technology. Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) and the chairman of the Federal Working Group of Senior Citizens’ Organizations (BAGSO), Franz Müntefering, have officially launched the “DigitalPakt Alter” initiative.
Bringing the digital world to life
The “Digital Pact Age” is an alliance to which ten partner organizations from the federal, state, local, business, scientific and civil society have joined. The first measure of the initiative is the promotion of 100 so-called experience locations, such as the future house in Wedding, which are intended to make the “digital world” an experience for older people.
“The 100 experience locations show how digitization can succeed on site,” said Müntefering. With the pact, existing initiatives should “be made visible, strengthened and expanded”. In the long term, there should be an offer for older people to acquire digital skills in every municipality.
“Great opportunities for all generations”
Müntefering also emphasized that it is not about older people giving up things that are important to them. “The book stays and the newspaper stays and television stays and radio stays and the record stays.” But there is the new part of the digital that can be helpful in life. “Learn to use it so that you can use it for yourself.”
Lambrecht said that digitization offers great opportunities for all generations. The Internet can make life easier for older people in particular, for example when shopping. She called for more partners to take part in the pact in order to create local offers.
Interview on the “DigitalPakt Alter”: Are old people involved in digitization?
Angelika Hellemann, DLF, August 17, 2021 6:49 p.m.