Augsburg celebrates the day of the older generation: participation for everyone!

Augsburg celebrates the day of the older generation: participation for everyone!

On October 1st, “Day of the Older Generation” was celebrated in Augsburg, an occasion that is not only an opportunity for reflection, but also provides a platform to put the spotlight on the wide range of options available to seniors. Augsburg is proud of its approximately 78,500 citizens over the age of 60, who make up more than a quarter of the city's population. The social and senior citizen speaker Martin Schenkelberg emphasized the importance of respect and support for older people and emphasized the social responsibility that we all bear. DAZ Augsburg reports that the city offers a wide range of offers for seniors, from individual advice to cultural events.

The day was marked by participation and encounters. There is a broad network of support in Augsburg that enables older people to continue to actively participate in society. The offers include, among other things, care information, meeting opportunities and participation opportunities. Particularly important is the Senior Citizens' Advisory Council, which represents the interests of older people in city politics and regularly organizes cultural events.

Challenges and demands

But despite these positive developments, there is still a lot to do. The Social Association of Germany (SoVD) draws attention to the problem of age discrimination and calls for these trends to be stopped. Some seniors are affected by poverty in old age, as around 20.5% of people over 65 in Germany are considered to be at risk of poverty. It also turns out that many people in need of care do not find sufficient support in home care and are urgently dependent on age-appropriate living space. According to Verbandsbüro, the framework conditions for care and the provision of outpatient services urgently need to be improved.

A new senior citizen policy could help to promote the quality of life of older people and enable them to be more involved and self-determined. After all, around 40% of people over 65 are actively involved in social institutions and neighborhood assistance. This valuable social contribution should not go unnoticed.

Social perception and age discrimination

The perception of the older generation has emerged as a complex issue in recent years. A study by the Anti-Discrimination Agency shows that around 27% of respondents consider 60 to be the age limit and 69% are convinced that older people have health problems. But at the same time, 94% are of the opinion that it is possible to stay fit as you get older. It is time to challenge the image we have of older people and encourage local and national engagement. Antidiskriminierungsstelle recommends creating educational offers and campaigns that raise awareness of age discrimination and promote dialogue between generations.

Augsburg shows that the city is not only responding to the challenges, but is also actively working on solutions. An annual senior program focuses on the needs and interests of older people. Topics such as health, exercise, culture and digital learning are the focus and offer a wide range of opportunities for encounters and participation.

It is up to all of us whether we support the seniors in our midst and give them the space they deserve. The “Day of the Older Generation” is an impressive reminder that we must not lose sight of decades of experience and life wisdom – there is really something here.