A mouthpiece and stone-in-the-rough bringer

Getting the ball rolling - this is how Elisabeth Wackernagel sees her role as Chair of the Seniors' Advisory Council. She celebrated the 30th anniversary of this committee with a reception today, Friday, together with numerous active and former members, network partners and key figures.

The legal basis for ensuring that senior citizens have the opportunity to participate in politics was only created in Thuringia in the early 1990s. The city of Jena was one of the first cities in the state to set up a senior citizens' office and a senior citizens' advisory council in 1993. The basis for today's work is the Thuringian law on strengthening the participation and involvement rights of senior citizens. The city supports the committee financially with 2000 euros per year.

Committed to all people in Jena over the age of 60

A lot has changed since the early years, said Wackernagel. Among other things, the statutes have been amended several times. "But the concerns have always remained the same," said the chairwoman. The advisory board wants to be the mouthpiece between senior citizens on the one hand and politicians and the administration on the other. The 16 members, who, like the city council, are elected for a period of five years, feel responsible for all people in Jena aged 60 and over. "It's about empathizing with their needs and being sensitive to possible difficulties in everyday life," summarized Wackernagel.

The members are involved in three working groups: health/care, order/safety/urban development/environment and culture/education/sport. One person from each working group takes part in the relevant meetings of the city council's specialist committees. The Senior Citizens' Advisory Council is asked directly for its opinion on many topics - be it upcoming construction measures or the increase in pool tariffs. The advisory board works closely with many partners - with Jena's local public transport, the municipal service and the swimming pools. The members feel well connected thanks to their regular participation in the meetings of the advisory boards for civic participation, volunteering, the cemetery and for people with disabilities.

Seniors' office as an important partner

Elisabeth Wackernagel names the senior citizens' office in the Goethegalerie as one of the most important partners, which helps to strengthen social cohesion. The members of the Seniors' Advisory Council are closely networked with the city's various meeting facilities. In order to be even better informed, they meet in turn at different facilities - six times a year. The meetings are open to the public and guests are very welcome.

Over the past three decades, the Seniors' Advisory Council has supported a large number of projects, some of which it initiated itself, emphasized Wackernagel. "It was and is a source of ideas when it comes to the social and cultural participation of older Jena and Jenens residents. The work was shaped by many, many volunteers." One particularly important honorary position is that of the city's senior citizens' representative, held by Franziska Wächter. The full-time elderly care planner is the permanent contact person in the administration for the advisory board. Through her task of strengthening the participation rights of the older generation and promoting active political participation, she makes a significant contribution to the goals of the advisory board.

Step into the digital world

According to Wackernagel, it is mainly thanks to her that the Seniors' Advisory Council has made the step into the digital world. "For example, she convinced all members to set up an email address," says the Chairwoman. During the coronavirus pandemic, Franziska Wächter's commitment enabled meetings to take place online. "That made our collaboration much easier overall," says Wackernagel.

One project that makes the advisory board members particularly proud is the bench radar they initiated in 2022. Citizens have the opportunity to suggest locations where they think seating is urgently needed. The benches not only offer the opportunity to rest, but also become places to meet and communicate. Together with Kommunalservice Jena (KSJ), the Seniors' Advisory Council is examining whether the proposed locations are suitable. The KSJ purchases the benches, among other things, and sponsors often pay for further maintenance.

Senior citizens' days with a varied program

With great commitment, the advisory board also organizes regular senior citizens' days with many partners. Walks, guided tours, training courses, readings - a flyer published every six months provides an overview of the extensive range of activities on offer. The list of projects that the Seniors' Advisory Council has set up over the past 30 years is long. Elisabeth Wackernagel is currently researching exactly how long. She has taken the anniversary as an opportunity to compile a chronicle of the Jena Seniors' Advisory Council.

As in the whole of Germany, the proportion of older people in the total population is also growing in Jena, emphasized Lord Mayor Dr. Thomas Nitzsche. While this figure was 14 percent in 1999, it has already risen to almost 22 percent in 2022. Close coordination with those affected is necessary for tailor-made elderly care services. "The Senior Citizens' Advisory Council is the central body for involving older and elderly people in the work of the administration and the city council," said the Lord Mayor. He thanked all those present for their great commitment "and always good communication."

Elisabeth Wackernagel, Vorsitzende des Seniorenbeirats