District Senior Citizens' Council

Salzlandkreis – The members of the Salzlandkreis Senior Citizens' Advisory Council recently met at Seeland Town Hall in Nachterstedt to exchange experiences. After the members and guests (especially the mayor, Mr Robert Käsebier) were welcomed by the chairman of the advisory board and the host, Mr Siegfried Hampe, there was a brief presentation of the former mining region and the work of senior citizens in the districts of Hoym Anhalt, Frose Anhalt, Gatersleben, Schadeleben, Friedrichsaue and Nachterstedt. Nachterstedt is the administrative seat of the town of Seeland. The landslide on the southern slope of Lake Concordia on 18 July 2009 had dramatic consequences for the people in the region. Today, the Senior Citizens' Advisory Council of the town of Seeland is well established.

Senior citizens are actively involved in many associations and organise a wide range of events in close cooperation with young people. In the exchange of experiences between the senior citizens' councils, the indispensable contact between senior citizens and the younger generation in the communities was emphasised. Mr Peter Mayer, Chairman of the Staßfurt City Seniors' Council, shared his experiences of working with senior citizens to improve the living environment, in cooperation with the Urania and in the "Senior-friendly Ameos Clinic" working group.

Mrs Christine Pfeiffer was also able to report on many activities of the Bernburg Senior Citizens' Council, including exchanges of experience with other senior citizens' councils in the Salzland district and beyond. Mr Schöning mentioned the further networking of associations in Könnern and their presence. In a lively exchange, all the senior citizens' councils emphasised their involvement in improving their living environment, in joint civic activities for young and old and, last but not least, at the Christmas markets and senior citizens' Christmas parties. The aim is to use local initiatives to enable social participation in the future, especially for senior citizens in rural areas. This requires participation in political committees and the introduction of recommendations and proposals in local political matters, positive examples of which were mentioned.

In addition to the reports on the activities of the senior citizens' advisory councils this year, there was also an exchange about initial activities in 2026; in addition to health and care provision events, the opportunities for senior citizens' advisory councils to participate in the Saxony-Anhalt Day in Bernburg in June 2026 were discussed. A wide range of good ideas are to be implemented here in order to talk to many citizens about possible voluntary work to improve the quality of life in the region.

In his closing remarks, the Chairman thanked the senior citizens for their great commitment to voluntary work and looked forward with confidence to the many tasks still to be solved through their joint cooperation.

The senior citizens' councillors then took up the offer of a short visit to the neighbouring local history museum and thanked Mr Horst Brückner for his many years of development work and valuable presentation of the objects and pictures, which tell of the visible diligence of the citizens of this former mining region.

Dr Harald Lütkemeier

Chairman of the Seniors' Advisory Council

Text: Dr Harald Lütkemeier

Members of the Salzland District Senior Citizens' Advisory Council recently met at the Garsena estate to share their experiences. After the members and guests (in particular the mayor of Könnern, Mr Martin Zbyszewski) were welcomed by the host Karl-Friedrich Schöning and the chairman of the advisory board, a presentation was given of the individual enterprise - the children's and youth welfare facility "Freigut Garsena".

Schöning (member of the Seniors' Advisory Council) presented the unique selling point of the educational programme: The work with young people with particularly severe impairments and behavioural problems as well as problematic situations. The ecologically managed farm offers young people a special development environment. The close connection to agriculture and the shared handling of plants and animals supports the development and intensive experience of bonds and relationships. The rural location of the "Freigut Garsena" enables the young people (exclusively male, aged 10 to 18, nationwide catchment area) to face and work on their problems, deficits and socially unadapted lifestyles. The highly qualified, specialised staff can provide intensive, individual (max. 18 places) and model educational and relationship work. The children and young people learn a structured daily routine, they learn about nature in field-pasture-livestock farming with patience, perseverance and long-term action.

In the exchange of experiences between the senior citizens' councils, the indispensable contact between senior citizens and the younger generation in the municipalities was emphasised in order to create a good living environment alongside and with each other. There are still many requirements to be met in terms of accessibility, care coordination, mobility and services of general interest, as well as intergenerational cooperation.

Ms Doris Schüler reported on the many activities of the Barby Seniors' Council with its senior citizens with regard to improving work with digital media, but also on preparations for the "800 years of the County of Barby" anniversary. Mrs Eveline Windisch, Senior Citizens' Council Nienburg developed

Proposals for involving senior citizens in the preparations for Saxony-Anhalt Day 2026 in Bernburg. Mr Norbert Novotny, standing in for Ms Pfeiffer, was able to report on many activities of the Bernburg Senior Citizens' Council, including a visit to the Pfau Foundation and an interesting exchange of experiences on working methods with the Köthen Senior Citizens' Council. Mrs Annemarie Rockmann (Freckleben) spoke in particular about the need for housing suitable for senior citizens in rural communities and the rising costs of care for sick senior citizens.

Mr Frank Kaina (Calbe) and Siegfried Hampe (Seeland) provided information on the co-organisation of important local festivals and planned autumn festivals in districts of the town of Seeland as well as new activities. Ms Doreen Kügler from the social services department of the Salzland district presented an offer of digital help for senior citizens and provided important information. The funding project "Heimat digital erleben" is being successfully implemented in some municipalities.

Harald Lütkemeier paid tribute to the commitment of the Staßfurt Senior Citizens' Council at the 19th Day of the Regions in Staßfurt. Chairman Peter Mayer, together with Chief Physician Peter Schmiedel from Ameos Klinikum Bernburg, was able to hear many of the senior citizens' concerns, with the latter providing information about the services offered by the Centre for Geriatric Medicine and giving valuable tips. The difficult, inadequate medical specialist care in rural communities was addressed by the senior citizens' councils and the mayor, and initial approaches were outlined. Mr Schöning called the networking of associations in the Könnern area - think networked, act stable! very encouraging. Cohesion and the presence of the associations should be strengthened.

In his closing remarks, the Chairman thanked the senior citizens for their great commitment to voluntary work and looked forward with confidence to the many tasks still to be solved through their joint cooperation. During the tour of the facility led by Mr Schöning, the young Max Eismann (from Berchtesgaden/Bavaria) accompanied the senior citizens, talked about his life and is very grateful for the "years of apprenticeship at the Freigut, especially to the entire team of educators. Next year he will complete a vocational preparation year (BvJ) and would like to contribute to our society as a respected member.

Text: Dr Harald Lütkemeier

The members of the District Senior Citizens' Advisory Council were invited to a joint round of talks in the district administrator's office. Markus Bauer (SPD) warmly welcomed the members with the words: "We want to continue the tradition of meeting once a year to look back and talk about current and future joint tasks."

He recognised their voluntary work and thanked the senior citizens for their constructive cooperation. The district senior citizens' council is also an important link to the communities and between the generations.

Clinical healthcare in the district, secure GP care and the provision of skilled nursing staff, improving mobility options, barrier-free access to public facilities, age-appropriate living, the joint work of young and old as well as services of general interest in rural areas are important topics in the open-minded round of talks.

The contributions from all members revealed many opportunities for improvement and a willingness to help find solutions. The need to reduce bureaucratic hurdles when submitting applications, the lack of order/safety in some areas and the need for a wide range of renovation work in public spaces were addressed. The senior citizens are in favour of promoting the sustainable expansion of cycle paths, the further development of the infrastructure and were very interested in the presentation of the future strategies of the Salzland district and the future prospects of the town of Bernburg at the Bernburg Senior Citizens' College this year. Living in the Salzland district is an important aspect for an attractive region in order to attract new residents, and the importance of the three Ws: economy, knowledge and living is emphasised time and again.

The district administrator assured support according to the means available, but the district is not responsible for all concerns. Discussions about voluntary work, the social concerns of senior citizens and their participation in society must be recognised and are essential. Senior citizens want to contribute their experience and suggestions to the development of viable solutions. Local initiatives are needed to enable social participation, especially for senior citizens in rural areas, in the future.

Markus Bauer emphasised intergenerational thinking, encouraged digital learning for senior citizens to improve participation (including telemedicine), joint discussion rounds with young people and close cooperation with primary and secondary schools. According to Bauer, it is about growing old alongside and with one another, creating a functioning society worth living in and recognising the achievements of the older generation. Cornelia Stegemann, the current Chairwoman of the District Senior Citizens' Advisory Council, thanked the District Administrator for the effective cooperation with the district administration and for the round of talks.

The committee consists of one representative from each of the single and association municipalities and meets regularly according to a work schedule. The aim is to keep the interests of the older generation present in social discourse and thus represent the interests of senior citizens.

Text: Dr Harald Lütkemeier

The members of the district senior citizens' council have anchored a wide range of tasks relevant to senior citizens: improving mobility options, accessibility, age-appropriate living, implementing the Care Reinforcement Act, the joint work of young and old as well as services of general interest in rural areas are key topics. The senior citizens are concerned about the future in the villages, support the administrations in further improving the living conditions of older people and in intergenerational work in communication centres. Constant dialogue and cooperation with the Social Affairs, Family and Education Department of the Salzland district administration is an urgent requirement. "We want to inform ourselves in the consultations with specific topics and exchange experiences on possible improvements," emphasised the current chairwoman of the advisory board, Cornelia Stegemann.

In addition to already established highlights, e.g. the Senior Citizens' Days in Bördeland, Aschersleben and Nienburg, the members of the Senior Citizens' Council prepare and actively organise a large number of events in the municipalities. The contributions of the individual members revealed a great deal of voluntary commitment to constructive cooperation with the communities and their senior citizens, and good experiences were shared.

Romy Kleische, social planner in Department II at the Salzland district, presented the Salzland district's care structure report to the members of the advisory board with great commitment. This is based on population data from the Saxony-Anhalt State Statistical Office (Halle) as well as data derived by the employees of the department and forms an important basis for the district care plan for the further implementation of the Care Strengthening Act in the Salzland district. During the presentation of the report and in an emotional discussion, it became clear that there is still considerable potential to be tapped in the four allocated social areas with regard to outpatient and inpatient care, and that the number of people in need of care is increasing. Overall, securing the supply of skilled labour in the care sector requires the joint efforts of all stakeholders involved, further targeted training support, networking of the care sectors, and the care potential of relatives must be supported as far as possible. The district has little or very limited ability to control or react to developments in the care market.

Annemarie Rockmann from the Aschersleben Seniors' Advisory Council expressed her thanks for the valuable analyses, confirmed the recommendations made, reported on planned site inspections in the districts of the town of Aschersleben, the many requirements for improving accessibility, but also for care coordination and the indispensable close contact between seniors and the younger generation in the communities, e.g. in Freckleben. Council member Siegfried Hampe confirmed from his point of view the problems identified in the Stadt Seeland social area. Peter Maier, Staßfurt Senior Citizens' Council, and Christine Pfeiffer, Bernburg Senior Citizens' Council, reported on many events planned with senior citizens in the near future.

The demographic development of the population, the ageing trend (the number of people over 75 is set to rise rapidly over the next few years) and the resulting increase in the need for care, single households, mobility and services of general interest were important topics in the round table, which will be discussed locally by the senior citizens' councils this year.

The senior citizens' councils want to contribute their experience and suggestions to the development of viable solutions. The aim is to use local initiatives to enable social participation in the future, especially for senior citizens in rural areas. In general, it is important to think across generations, to enjoy a longer life together and alongside one another.

The committee consists of one representative from each of the single and association municipalities and meets regularly. The aim is to keep the interests of the older generation present in social discourse and thus represent the interests of senior citizens.

Text: Dr Harald Lütkemeier

The members of the District Senior Citizens' Advisory Council were invited to a joint round of talks in the district administrator's office. District Administrator Markus Bauer warmly welcomed the members with the words: "We want to continue the tradition of meeting once a year to look back and discuss future joint tasks."

In particular, he emphasised that their voluntary work could not be appreciated enough and thanked the senior citizens for their constructive cooperation. The district senior citizens' advisory council is also an important link to the communities and between the generations. Annemarie Rockmann from the Aschersleben Seniors' Advisory Council began by reporting on her invitation of volunteers to Berlin to meet Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and representatives of the federal government for talks on voluntary work, the social concerns of senior citizens and their participation in society. In particular, she reported on the indispensable contact between senior citizens and the younger generation in village life in the communities, e.g. in Freckleben. Young and old in joint civic activities - this is how the senior citizens' councils see the future of rural areas. Peter Maier, Staßfurt Senior Citizens' Council, cited good experiences in working with the municipality of Staßfurt on behalf of senior citizens and drew attention to the wide range of renovation work required in public spaces. Heidi Hoffmann, Hecklingen Seniors' Council, emphasised the citizens' activities, but also criticised the poor condition of the local roads and footpaths in Hecklingen. The contributions from all members revealed many opportunities for improvement and a willingness to help find solutions. The district administrator assured support according to the means available, but the Salzland district is not responsible for all concerns.

Ms Windisch emphasised the need to expand cycle paths, e.g. from Altenburg to Nienburg. Mobility and services of general interest was an important topic in the discussion round, which will also occupy the District Senior Citizens' Advisory Council this year. Harald Lütkemeier spoke about health in old age, digital learning and the gradual creation of barrier-free access to public facilities in the villages. The senior citizens want to contribute their experience and suggestions to the development of viable solutions. Local initiatives are needed to enable social participation, especially for senior citizens in rural areas, in the future. Markus Bauer emphasised intergenerational thinking and suggested joint discussion rounds with young people and close cooperation with primary and secondary schools. According to Bauer, it is about growing old alongside and together, creating a functioning society worth living in and recognising the achievements of the older generation. Cornelia Stegemann, the current Chairwoman of the District Senior Citizens' Advisory Council, thanked the District Administrator for the effective cooperation with the district administration. The committee is made up of one representative from each of the single and association municipalities and meets regularly according to a work schedule. The aim is to keep the interests of the older generation present in social discourse and thus represent the interests of senior citizens.

Text: Dr Harald Lütkemeier and Klaus Dieter Schmidt

Despite coronavirus restrictions, the members of the District Senior Citizens' Council have shown great voluntary commitment to constructive cooperation with senior citizens in their towns and municipalities in 2021, providing them with help and confidence.

For example, members assisted the specialist staff in vaccination centres, maintained contact with members of the local Volkssolidarität and passed on suggestions to local authority representatives. In addition, seven consultations took place, including in the members' sphere of influence, in which problems and good experiences were addressed. The meeting with the Saxony-Anhalt General Association for the Disabled, represented by Mr Schiwek in the "Haus Luise" meeting centre at the Burghof retirement home in Schönebeck, deserves special mention. An important cooperation agreement was signed here and valuable experience was exchanged for the social interaction of both target groups to prevent further isolation. Collaboration between the District Seniors' Council and the state representation is essential for promising work and is anchored in its annual work plan. Rosemarie Ziem, Chairwoman of the Salzland District Senior Citizens' Council, therefore organised a joint study trip with her colleagues at the end of the year, which provided an opportunity for a lively exchange of experiences as well as a social get-together.

On 23 November, 32 senior citizens, representatives from towns and some municipalities in the Salzland district travelled to the Burgenland district. They visited the town of Naumburg with the aim of recognising suggestions for the lives of older people and drawing conclusions for their own work. Tour guides from the town of Naumburg led the senior citizens' groups through 1000 years of the town's history. The historic town centre is particularly worth seeing. The two tour guides shared interesting facts and anecdotes about the houses and cultural monuments worth seeing. The tour also led past the Nietzsche House with its documentation centre on the philosopher's work, many houses in need of renovation were still visible and reconstructed buildings in Jüdengasse still conveyed the medieval image of the narrow streets and Jewish life. The senior citizens' groups noticed that the low-traffic city centre and the streets with pavements form a single unit and are therefore barrier-free and senior-friendly. Many small shops line the streets around the Holzmarkt, Topfmarkt and Rathausplatz with many lovingly made regional products and invite you to linger or shop. The city tour ended at the cathedral square with its impressive ensemble. With important information about the UNESCO World Heritage Site and a view of Naumburg's landmark, the cathedral, with its famous twelve life-size stone sculptures, the tour group headed to a historic location in the city, a former blacksmith's shop - now a showpiece hotel - for lunch. During the lunch break, there was also a lively exchange of ideas about the city tour, the requirements of an old city and improved living conditions for senior citizens.

In the informal exchange of experiences, the indispensable contact between senior citizens and the younger generation in the communities, as well as many requirements for accessibility, care coordination, mobility and services of general interest were addressed as focal points. The most recent village competition "Our village has a future", which was very successfully organised in the Salzland district and involved 20 villages, showed many excellent examples of targeted citizens' initiatives and the active cooperation of young and old in improving living conditions and the environment. During the village tours with the evaluation committee, it became clear that the voluntary commitment of our citizens is indispensable. The seniors' councils want to continue to contribute their experience and suggestions to the development of viable solutions. In general, it is important to think across generations and to enjoy a longer life together. At the end of the eventful study trip, the participants thanked their chairwoman for organising and running the event, which provided many new ideas, interesting encounters and good discussions. Everyone emphasised that they enjoyed the exchange.

Text: Dr Harald Lütkemeier

After a long period of time, members of the District Senior Citizens' Council met for a discussion round to exchange views on their work, in compliance with all hygiene regulations. The chairwoman of the advisory board, Rosemarie Ziem, welcomed Ms Doreen Kügler and Mr Frank Schiwek as guests.

In her welcoming speech, Ms Kügler, Head of Social Services, expressed her appreciation, also on behalf of District Administrator Markus Bauer, for the work carried out by the District Senior Citizens' Council and reaffirmed her commitment to further constructive, goal-oriented cooperation.

This objective was also emphasised by Mr Schiwek, Managing Director of the Saxony-Anhalt Association for the Disabled, who outlined the association's extensive tasks and common priorities. Senior citizens are concerned about the future in the villages and support the authorities in further improving the living conditions of older people and in intergenerational work in communication centres. Constant exchange and cooperation with the social services department of the Salzlandkreis district administration is an urgent necessity, and expanded cooperation with the Association for the Disabled is also very useful. "We want to expand the existing agreements with the Bördeland Senior Citizens' Council at district level, give new impetus to the Salzlandkreis participation plan with a cooperation agreement and its implementation," emphasised Rosemarie Ziem, chair of the advisory board.

The contributions of the individual members revealed a great deal of voluntary commitment to constructive cooperation with the communities and their senior citizens in the difficult times of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as good experiences and confidence.

During the exchange of experiences, the indispensable contact between senior citizens and the younger generation in the municipalities, as well as many requirements for accessibility, care coordination, mobility and services of general interest were addressed as particular focal points.

The senior citizens' councils want to continue to contribute their experience and suggestions to the development of viable solutions. Local initiatives are needed to enable social participation, especially for senior citizens in rural areas, in the future. In general, it is important to think across generations, to enjoy a longer life together and alongside each other. Together, we are getting through a difficult situation that is far from over, which is why constructive cooperation with a lot of confidence is very important.