90 years of joie de vivre: Waltraud Gockeln celebrates in the senior center!

90 years of joie de vivre: Waltraud Gockeln celebrates in the senior center!

A very special birthday was celebrated at the “Maximilian” care senior center in Bad Wörishofen on July 14, 2025: Waltraud Gockeln reached the proud age of 90. The senior citizen, who has lived there since 2017, is not only a symbol of elegance and vitality in old age, but also testifies to an eventful life story. After her husband's death, she decided to move into the senior center, where she actively participated in group activities such as quizzes and hand massages. All of these activities show how important an active life is to her, even in old age. Her well-groomed appearance always comes first - it's no surprise that she was a former hairdresser.

The celebrations on her special day were as festive as they were touching. Mayor Stefan Welzel, nursing service manager Dimitar Gatev and district administrator Alex Eder gave her their best wishes and gifts. A special present was an illustrated book about the Unterallgäu, which Gockeln happily accepted. Despite the physical limitations that have plagued her for some time, she retained her joy of life and enjoyed a glass of champagne - a sign of her unbroken spirit.

The diversity of older realities of life

Waltraud Gockeln is just one of many who play a role in the current social discussion about aging. According to the Ninth Age Report, which was presented by Federal Seniors Minister Lisa Paus on January 8, 2025, older people in Germany live diverse and active lives. Nevertheless, they often face barriers that make it difficult for them to participate in society. The federal government uses various strategies to combat loneliness and promotes the engagement of older people. These measures are particularly important given that there are special disadvantages, especially for women and people with a migrant background.

The report highlights the need to recognize the realities of older people's lives. Despite challenges, Prof. Dr. Martina Brandt the chances of getting older. It is crucial to develop an integrated policy that ensures that everyone can participate in social life in a balanced manner. Age discrimination remains a major hurdle that needs to be overcome. The report lists 31 recommendations for politics and society to improve living conditions in old age and reduce discrimination.

Unforgettable memories

Another reason why it's so important to celebrate older people's stories is the memories they carry with them. Similar to Waltraud Gockeln, who always thinks back to her vacations on the Canary Islands, Brigitte Kiesel, another 90-year-old, fondly remembered her trips to Mallorca at a celebration in the Adelsdorf senior center. Kiesel, also a lively personality, has lived at the senior center for over 12 years and has made many friends since then. Such life stories not only represent remembered moments, but rather reflect the joy of life and resilience that many older people have.

These celebrations are more than just an occasion to celebrate - they are a sign of respect and appreciation for the life's work that the older generations have done for our society. It is up to us to carry forward this spirit of community to ensure that everyone experiences participation and dignity, regardless of their age.