Suche
Mein Konto
Frustration with relatives: senior helpers give up and close the service
Two senior helpers from the Rems-Murr district are ending their initiative against loneliness, frustrated with relatives.
Frustration with relatives: senior helpers give up and close the service
The sisters Kerstin (54) and Emily Winkler (28) gave up their “Everyday Help Sunlight” initiative after just one year. Their goal was to offer support to older people in need of care and thus counteract loneliness and neglect. But ultimately frustrations with social conditions, especially with the relatives of those in need of care, caused their plan to fail. This reports zvw.de.
The Winklers wanted to bring a bit of quality of life into the lives of seniors through their everyday help and get them out of isolation. “It’s not just the responsibility that counts, but also how the relatives perceive their role,” explains Kerstin Winkler. The sisters complain about the lack of support from their families and the associated emotional pressure they were exposed to.
Loneliness in old age: A widespread problem
The challenges the Winklers faced are part of a larger issue: loneliness in old age. Loud familienportal.berlin.de Social contacts are essential to counteract loneliness in old age. Old hobbies can be revived, new foreign languages learned or voluntary activities such as the “Leihoma program” can be considered.
Various facilities and offers in cities like Berlin, including senior citizens' meetings and multi-generational houses, promote exchange between young and old. These places offer numerous activities that are specifically aimed at older people. Seniors can also learn about volunteer visitation services that provide companionship and help prevent social isolation.
Need for action and possible solutions
The Winklers' frustration shows how important it is to improve interaction between elderly people in need of care and their relatives. Experts recommend relying more on social contacts. Seniors can take part in offers such as meeting cafés, language and computer courses, as well as cultural activities to increase the chances of social interaction.
In Germany there are numerous initiatives and programs that help combat loneliness among older people. Visitation and companionship services, such as those offered by the Maltese, ensure that older people are not alone. For more information about these services, senior helplines can be contacted, which offer free consultations from trained volunteers.
It would be desirable that similar initiatives such as “Everyday Help Sunlight” do not have to be abandoned out of frustration, but rather are maintained through a stronger sense of community and more support from relatives and society. This is the only way to achieve the goal of increasing the quality of life of older people.