Network meeting for more exercise in old age

How can we lead a healthy and active life in old age - and what does Offenbach actually need to achieve this? These questions were once again addressed by numerous representatives from the fields of health, sport, senior citizen and neighbourhood work from various offices, independent organizations and associations at the "Bewegt älter werden in Offenbach" network meeting. The regular network meeting takes place twice a year and has established itself as an important exchange platform.

The network grew out of the city's "Bewegt älter werden" project and emerged from the former project steering group. Today, the network is jointly managed and organized by the coordination offices for open senior citizen work (Social Welfare Office) and for health promotion and prevention (Health Department) with the support of the Hessian Association for Health Promotion (HAGE). Close cooperation with the city's senior citizens' centers forms an important basis for networking and implementing practical measures.

Numerous targeted offers for older people have already been created within the network - including the popular exercise meetings and Rollator-Fit courses. These low-threshold offers not only promote physical fitness, but also strengthen social interaction in the neighborhood.

The focus of the meeting on May 27 was the evaluation of the current evaluation of the network. Central structures and processes such as the mission statement, the role of the network members and existing collaborations were discussed in detail. The findings and needs were discussed together and translated into new approaches.

"Regular evaluations are important to us in order to recognize the needs of the network members and to structure the meetings in a meaningful way. This is the only way we can continue to develop successful joint measures and make the impact of our work visible," emphasized Christine Langenbach (City Health Department) and Susan Kazda (Social Services Department), the heads of the network.

All participants agreed that the evaluation provided valuable impetus and triggered numerous new ideas for future cooperation. Especially in times of tight municipal budgets, the network shows how close cooperation, the pooling of resources and targeted exchange can avoid duplicate structures and exploit synergies. This ensures that the services developed are tailored precisely to the needs of older people in Offenbach - and do not bypass them.

Another success factor is that the network specifically integrates various specialist skills from the city administration as required. Relevant municipal departments such as urban planning, sport and health promotion are actively involved. This close cooperation helps to take a holistic view of the living environment of older people and to focus more on them in the context of physical activity.

The network is also guided by successful practical examples from other regions in order to gain new impetus and test innovative approaches in Offenbach.

With its integrative approach, the "Bewegt älter werden in Offenbach" network makes a central contribution to health-promoting urban development - and sends a strong signal for the appreciation and participation of older people.