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Mainz (dpa / lrs) - With home visits and targeted help, the “Community Nurse Plus” project supports old people aged 80 and over in a self-determined and independent life.
The state's budget for this was increased from 1.1 to 1.6 million euros for the coming year.
Especially in times of the corona pandemic, the project is more important than ever, said Social and Demography Minister Sabine Bätzing-Lichtenthäler (SPD) of the German Press Agency.
In this project, which started in 2015, 36 skilled workers in Rhineland-Palatinate are currently looking after old people in their place of residence.
Three of these are financed by the municipalities themselves.
The municipalities that use the offer range from the Ahrweiler district in the north to the southern wine route.
“It is important to me to counteract loneliness,” says the nurse Zakia Amallah, who started her work as “Community Nurse Plus” in Mainz in November.
"Especially now in the Corona period, it is important to look out for one another."
She is responsible for four districts of Mainz in which around 2000 people over 80 years live, of which around 700 alone.
“I want to help with everyday life,” says Amallah.
“The outside view can be helpful in identifying and solving problems.
That could be eliminating a trip hazard or organizing help with household chores. "
The first “Community Nurse Plus” had already started work in Mainz in the summer.
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The project helps people who still live independently and are not dependent on care, but who at the same time want support and advice.
A particular focus is on rural regions, where there is often a lack of tailored offers.
The specialists should therefore also contribute to setting up such offers.
The corona restrictions make it more difficult for people to visit their own home.
However, the specialists have succeeded in developing new ideas to stay in contact with people, says Bätzing-Lichtenthäler - for example via telephone, tablet computer or by sending brain teasers and exercise instructions for fitness training.
"I would be happy if we succeed in expanding the project further next year."