Bayreuth opens new care base – focus on helping seniors!

Bayreuth opens new care base – focus on helping seniors!

In Bayreuth there is a ray of hope for those in need of care and their relatives: a new one took place on June 15, 2025 Nursing base opened. This facility is an important step towards improving the supply situation in the city and at the same time actively responding to demographic change.

The numbers speak for themselves: over 25% of Bayreuth's residents are already over 65 years old. By 2040, the number of people in need of care in the city will increase from the current 3,650 to over 5,400. In addition, a current situation analysis shows that there are bottlenecks in short-term, day and night care as well as outpatient services. “There is something going on,” says city councilor Dr. Beate Kuhn (SPD), who submitted the application for the care base and is pleased about the approval by the city council.

Advice and support for relatives

The new care base, a collaboration between the city, the district of Upper Franconia and various health and nursing care insurance companies, is financed by the Hans and Emma Nützel Altenstiftung. Trained specialists are available here to assist relatives and those in need of care in person, by telephone or on site. The advice includes not only the rights and obligations in the care sector, but also information on social benefits in accordance with SGB XI and the coordination of care offers in the living environment.

The team consists of experienced specialists: Bernd Hagen has broad experience in nursing advice and crisis support, while Ines Schramm specializes in advice and support. Such support is urgently needed for many relatives, who often suffer from health problems themselves. Currently, around 78% of those in need of care are at home with their loved ones, but many caring relatives are reaching their limits.

Demographic challenges and solutions

Bayreuth is an example of the challenges that demographic change brings with it. There are currently around 4,800 people in need of care – a number that will continue to rise. The burden on those affected and their relatives should not be underestimated, as almost 60% of caring relatives complain about health problems. Like that Bayreuther Tagblatt According to reports, 9 out of 10 nursing homes in Bayreuth are currently unable to accept new residents, and there are over 48 vacant positions in the nursing sector - a real warning sign.

The report by the BASIS Institute pointed out these grievances and urgently recommends an increase in short-term and day care places by 2040 as well as better support for caring relatives. Meanwhile, there is a lack of around 2,700 senior-friendly apartments in Bayreuth, which further exacerbates the situation. The use and adaptations of smaller living spaces can be supported by subsidies from nursing care funds in order to enable older people to live a self-determined life.

Public infrastructure and accessibility

But there is a need for action not only in the area of ​​care, but also in public infrastructure. The city is pushing ahead with the barrier-free conversion of bus stops to make mobility easier for seniors. The costs for the conversion amount to around 40,000 to 50,000 euros per stop, and there are already six more stops on the expansion list in 2025.

If the general conditions in Bayreuth do not improve, there will be serious social problems due to the lack of affordable and barrier-free living space. Demographic change can no longer be stopped - it requires quick, sustainable solutions and a good hand on the part of politicians.

The care support center is a valuable point of contact for anyone who is looking for or needs support. The contact information is:Municipal citizens' meeting place, Am Sendelbach 1-3, 95445 Bayreuth. Office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Bernd Hagen is at the phone number0921 793 137 48available, please contact Ines Schramm for inquiries0921 793 169 16call. In addition, the email addresspflegestuetzpunkt@stadt.bayreuth.debe used.