New Agathe advisor brings a breath of fresh air against loneliness in old age

New Agathe advisor brings a breath of fresh air against loneliness in old age

In the communities of Föritztal and Frankenblick there is now a new contact point for seniors who want to break up with loneliness. During a meeting of the local council, Mayor Silke Fischer (CDU) announced the replacement of the advice center as part of the Agathe program. Gabriele Luther was introduced as a new advisor and will from now on support the seniors in these two communities. Her goal is to enable older people to live in their familiar surroundings, and she has already designed an exciting program of events to provide variety.

The Agathe program offers low-threshold support in rural areas and aims to promote social participation among seniors. The previous position was vacant for an extended period of time due to several counselors resigning and the future of the program being unclear. The first meetings are now taking place in Judenbach and Neuhaus-Schierschnitz, and further discussions in other districts are being planned. The program includes, among other things, casual meetings, a seniors' Christmas party and a crime prevention event.

Loneliness in old age – a widespread problem

Loneliness affects many older people and can cause significant emotional distress. To counteract this situation, there are numerous offers and programs that aim to help seniors take an active part in life again. According to the Competence Network for Loneliness (KNE), local offers of help are important in order to strengthen participation in society. The programs include, among other things, multi-generational houses and various further training opportunities that aim to promote social exchange.

A notable example is provided by the Malteser Hilfedienst e. V., which provides everyday offers for older people and people with limited mobility. These services not only promote sociability, but also cross-generational exchange. In addition, in cooperation with Telekom, the Maltese have set up a Germany-wide chat network that enables new contacts.

Diverse support offers

Other options for seniors include the Silbernetz, which offers a listening ear on 0800 470 80 90. Here, older people can find support anonymously and free of charge, even without an acute crisis. The silver telephone can be reached daily between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. In addition, the Protestant and Catholic Church's telephone counseling service supports seniors seeking help around the clock.

The variety of programs shows how important it is that seniors are not forgotten and that initiatives like the Agathe program play a crucial role in combating loneliness in old age. The communities in Thuringia take the challenge seriously and offer a wide range of activities that support a fulfilling life. This not only addresses the needs of the older generation, but also actively combats loneliness.