Erfurt (dpa/th) - In Thuringia, a project against loneliness in old age is being expanded. At three other locations, specialists are to be trained this year to support and network lonely seniors living alone, the Ministry of Social Affairs announced on Tuesday in Erfurt. The new locations are in the districts of Sömmerda and Sonneberg and in the independent city of Gera. The qualification of the new specialists as part of the "Agathe" program is to begin this week.
The program initially started in eight regions of Thuringia in 2021. "Agathe" is intended to tie in with existing local structures - such as care support centers, visiting services, district management and also voluntary networks. According to the ministry, the aim is to delay or even avoid a possible future need for care by passing on offers and networks. This year around 2.8 million euros are available for the program (previous year 2.2 million euros).
The goal must be to "extend the program to all of Thuringia, to all districts and cities," said Health Minister Heike Werner (left). "I hope that the factions of the Thuringian state parliament will follow the proposals that we have formulated as part of the planning for the state budget for 2023 in the budget deliberations." According to the ministry, more than 210,000 people over the age of 63 live alone in Thuringia.
