Support for seniors through preventive counseling
On September 4, the Griesheim City Council decided to participate in the Hessian "Community Caregiver" . The decision was based on a proposal from the Senior Citizens' Advisory Council and an audit report from the City Council, which built on preliminary work by the Senior Citizens' Office from 2023.
"In order to address the prevailing demographics, limited mobility, increasing morbidity, and the looming gap in care caused by a shortage of skilled workers, an interdisciplinary agency is needed," explains Stefanie Ondruch, senior citizen representative for the city of Griesheim. "Seniors living alone currently have no clearly defined, full-time contact point. However, the need for outreach counseling and support is steadily growing."
Tasks of the community caretakers
Community nurses identify support needs early on. They identify appropriate local services and support, including medical and nursing care, daily assistance, and social participation. The goal is to enable older people to lead self-determined and independent lives through preventative measures. This includes needs assessments, counseling, and the initiation of appropriate support measures.
Funding from the State of Hesse
The position of community nurse is funded by the state of Hesse at 80 percent. It is limited to a maximum of three years, but no longer than until 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)
