Support for senior citizens through preventive advice
The Griesheim city council decided on September 4th to participate in the Hessian funding program "Community Care Worker" . This decision was based on a proposal from the senior citizens' advisory board and an audit report from the city administration, which built upon preliminary work done by the senior citizens' office in 2023.
“To address the prevailing demographics, limited mobility, increasing morbidity, and a looming gap in services due to the shortage of skilled workers, an interdisciplinary office is needed,” explains Stefanie Ondruch, Senior Citizens' Representative for the city of Griesheim. “Currently, senior citizens living alone do not have a clearly defined, full-time point of contact. However, the need for outreach counseling and support is constantly growing.”
Tasks of community nurses
Community nurses identify support needs early on. With a focus on medical and nursing care, daily living assistance, and social participation, they connect people with suitable local services and support. The goal is to enable older people to live self-determined and independent lives through preventative measures. This includes needs assessments, consultations, and initiating appropriate support measures.
Funding from the state of Hesse
The position of community care worker is 80 percent funded by the state of Hesse. It is limited to a maximum of three years, but no later than the end of the funding period on December 31, 2026. A joint application with the western district municipalities of Weiterstadt, Pfungstadt, Seeheim-Jugenheim, and Erzhausen was planned for 2023, but was canceled at short notice. Griesheim now has the opportunity to join the existing western district network.
(GRIESHEIM – RED/PSG)
