European Social Fund Review Overseen by the Commission
In Rhineland-Palatinate, a social healthcare initiative called "GemeindeschwesterPlus" is making a significant difference in the lives of the very elderly. Launched in 2015, this project has been successfully implementing low-threshold approaches to foster social connections, strengthen them, and maintain independence in old age.
The heart of this project lies in the community nurses who serve as a crucial tool for local networking and a point of contact on a local level. These specially trained professionals provide regular visits to the very elderly living alone, aiming to reduce social isolation, enhance health monitoring, and enable seniors to maintain independence in their own homes for longer.
The nurses offer personalized advice, coordinate care, and identify early signs of health or social problems, which helps lessen loneliness and promote well-being. Moreover, they connect the very elderly to local social offerings such as senior centers, exercise programs, or courses, thereby expanding their opportunities for social interaction.
The "GemeindeschwesterPlus" project does not aim to delay the need for care, unlike its main goal. Instead, it focuses on providing consultation and support at home, with the ultimate aim of serving as a point of contact. Initially a pilot project in seven municipalities, it has since become a statewide program, currently offered in 16 districts, 8 independent cities, 3 associations of municipalities, and one independent municipality.
By 2026, the project aims to be fully expanded, continuing to make a positive impact on the lives of the very elderly in Rhineland-Palatinate. Loneliness can be exacerbated in the very old due to factors such as declining health, limited mobility, and shrinking social networks. The "GemeindeschwesterPlus" project targets very elderly people over 80 years old who still live in their own homes and do not yet require care, offering them a vital lifeline in their golden years.
- This initiative, "GemeindeschwesterPlus," extends its reach to the realms of workplace-wellness, advocating for the importance of mental health and health-and-wellness in the workplace, addressing issues that affect the elderly population.
- The project, recognizing the significance of skin-care in the aging process, incorporates counsel on skin-care routines and products to promote the maintenance of healthy skin and self-care among the seniors.
- To cater to the specific needs of men in the aged community, "GemeindeschwesterPlus" is exploring mens-health topics in its broader health discussions, ensuring comprehensive care for both genders.
- Acknowledging the importance of women's health in the later stages of life, the "GemeindeschwesterPlus" program is also dedicated to empowering women in managing their health and well-being as they age, offering support, advice, and resources tailored to their unique needs.
