County Administrator to Provide Enhanced Safety Measures for Seniors
Neuwied District: First Meeting of Landrat and Senior Safety Advisors Yields Progress
At the "Max zu Wied" hall in the Neuwied district administration building, the first gathering of Landrat Achim Hallerbach with senior safety advisors from municipal associations resulted in tangible progress.
The senior safety advisors, responsible for educating older citizens to prevent them from falling victim to crime, have committed to participating in the Neuwied district's first health fair with a joint booth. Additionally, there are plans to link the service for elderly citizens with the 'Gemeindeschwesterplus' format, and a senior safety advisor representative will attend the spring conference with local mayors, as Landrat Achim Hallerbach outlined.
Recognizing that safety remains paramount as people grow older, Landrat emphasized the complementary nature of their district role and that of the municipal associations and cities. He also highlighted the importance of regular meetings to facilitate continuous exchange between the advisors and other security experts.
Among the concerns of older citizens is the increasing fear of crime, even though senior citizens are no more frequently the targets of crime in general. Therapeutic schemes like the "grandparent scam" and "false police officer" exploit this vulnerable demographic, with digital versions like "love scamming" gaining traction on social media.
The role of senior safety advisors is to bridge the gap between older citizens, law enforcement, administration, and aid organizations, engaging them in discussions on practical ways to protect themselves from potential dangers. Drawing from their shared language and concerns, advisors provide practical advice tailored to enhancing older adults' safety in their everyday lives.
Initiated by a senior safety advisor from the Verbandsgemeinde Bad Hönningen, key members such as Wolfgang Kluwig, Kerstin Schwanbeck-Stephan, Carina Corzilius, Eva Fink, along with police officers Tanja Hoppen and Carolin Blum, participated in the groundbreaking meeting. Landrat Hallerbach expressed optimism for future interactions among these esteemed volunteer advisors.
The first joint meeting marked a crucial step in ensuring the ongoing wellbeing and safety of older citizens in the Neuwied district.
- The senior safety advisors plan to advocate for mental health, including men's health and sexual health, as well as wellness in the workplace and overall health and wellness, beyond just safety, at the Neuwied district's health fair.
- To further support older citizens, the senior safety advisors aim to incorporate health-and-wellness discussions, such as addressing aging concerns and various therapies-and-treatments, into their educational programs.
- Recognizing the need for holistic support, the senior safety advisors will collaborate with parenting groups and stress the importance of addressing the mental health of both parents and children.
- In an attempt to provide comprehensive support, the senior safety advisors will consider partnering with Medicare and other aid organizations for resources and assistance.
- To address the unique needs of women, the senior safety advisors will ensure the inclusion of women's health topics in their educational programs and discussions, providing tailored advice to older female citizens.
- The senior safety advisors will collaborate with local organizations to create resources and events focused on elder abuse prevention, aiming to reduce crime and maintain the safety and well-being of all citizens in the Neuwied district.
