More than twelve percent of people over 80 in Germany suffer from loneliness. This is the result of the “Old Age in Germany” study funded by the Federal Ministry for Senior Citizens. The value is twice as high as before the corona pandemic. In order to protect seniors in Unterhaching and Taufkirchen from loneliness in old age, the neighborhood help of the two communities has now started the project “Together instead of alone”. The aim is to bring older people into society through various activities.
Neighborhood help already offers sponsorships for seniors, visiting services, cooking together and an accompanying service. In addition, according to a statement from the facility, the intention is to set up a “culturally sensitive meeting place” especially for older people with a migration background. And as part of the “Together instead of alone” project, which is funded by the Peters Foundation, there is also the possibility of financial support from an emergency fund in the event of poverty in old age.
The reason is often the children moving away or the death of the partner
“We want to get people out of their isolation,” says Gabriele Eggers, chairwoman of the Taufkirchen Neighborhood Aid, which is currently merging with its counterpart from Unterhaching. “When the children move away, the death of a partner or serious illness, loneliness often arises from which many can no longer find their way out on their own. Here we offer encounters and give time,” says Eggers.
At the same time, the project offers prospective pensioners from the southern district an opportunity to get involved. “After working for Siemens and Infineon, I chose volunteering so that I could continue to make a meaningful contribution to society after I retired,” says Michael Mrva, Deputy Chairman of Neighborhood Aid. “I have no regrets.” Above all, dealing with different people and mutual respect “give me an enormous quality of life,” emphasizes Michael Mrva.