Committee's Role Extends to Drafting Directive's Development
In the heart of Ratingen, Germany, the Senior Council has been actively addressing the concerns of its elderly citizens since early 2025. The most recent meeting, held on July 28, 2025, in the Ratingen Town Hall, was a productive five-hour session that focused on combating loneliness, improving healthcare access, and promoting intergenerational fairness.
The meeting, attended by Andrea Behrens, the first chairwoman of the Senior Council, and guest speakers Ingrid Dormann and Barbara Eifert, began with a discussion on loneliness and the need for assistance among older people in Ratingen. The speakers encouraged the creativity of the listeners, urging them not to give up when facing tough issues.
One of the strategies proposed to combat loneliness includes establishing community centers or senior clubs that promote regular social interaction through events, workshops, and group activities. Additionally, volunteer visitor programs pairing seniors with trained volunteers for regular visits or calls, and intergenerational activities such as shared cultural, educational, or leisure programs involving youth and elderly were suggested to foster social bonds.
Healthcare access was another crucial topic of discussion. The Senior Council emphasized the need to collaborate with local healthcare providers and hospitals to facilitate mobile health clinics or regular health check-up days within senior neighborhoods. They also advocated for increased availability of home-based care and support services, including mental health counseling focused on elderly needs. Health literacy programs tailored to seniors about managing chronic diseases, medication, and preventive care were also proposed.
The issue of intergenerational fairness was not left unaddressed. The Senior Council proposed creating platforms for dialogue between generations, such as forums or councils where seniors and younger citizens discuss local policies and share perspectives. They also supported education initiatives that involve seniors as mentors or volunteers in schools, recognizing their ongoing societal contributions.
The meeting also touched upon the controversial issue of intergenerational fairness in social interaction, as well as the closure of St. Marien Hospital in Ratingen in 2024. The threatened closure of the emergency station in Ratingen is another issue the Senior Council wants to actively oppose.
The prospects for a successful new round of work for the Senior Council in serving the elderly citizens of Ratingen were mentioned, with Ingrid Dormann and Barbara Eifert providing advice, motivation, and extensive discussion. The good, balanced internal climate among the participants was noted and received nodding approval and applause.
In summary, a combination of social inclusion programs, health service cooperation, and intergenerational engagement approaches adapted to Ratingen’s local context would effectively address loneliness, healthcare, and fairness challenges for its elderly population.
[1] UrbanLife+ research focusing on senior-friendly city planning. [3] [4] Local cooperation with healthcare institutions (such as those in the Rhine region) for healthcare support strategies suited for the elderly.
- Recognizing the challenges in addressing mental health concerns among the elderly, the Senior Council proposed integrating mental health counseling programs into their healthcare access initiative, customized to cater to the needs of seniors.
- To proactively address the concerns of aging and promote workplace wellness, the Senior Council discussed the potential benefits of implementing urban life research focused on senior-friendly city planning (UrbanLife+).
- Acknowledging the importance of mental health as it pertains to aging, the Senior Council advocated for collaborative efforts with local healthcare institutions in the Rhine region to develop appropriate healthcare support strategies geared toward the elderly.
