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Oldenburg (dpa / lni) - Dozens of Bundeswehr soldiers are currently deployed in corona in old people's homes in Lower Saxony.

At the beginning of the week, 121 people supported the employees in 11 retirement homes, for example in Oldenburg, according to a spokeswoman for the German Armed Forces.

"The soldiers help with the distribution of food, make beds and linen, transport services, establish contact with relatives via telephone or video calls, keep the residents of the facility company, play board games with them," Jasmin Henning continued.

They are intended to relieve the staff, but do not take on any care activities such as basic care or going to the toilet.

"We help where we can," said Sergeant Matthias Janssen, who has been working in an Oldenburg nursing home since January 4th.

The eight soldiers bring medication to the wards, go for a walk with residents or take care of reception.

Every visitor must be documented there - as well as the corona rapid tests.

According to the information, the Bundeswehr provides 20,000 forces nationwide as part of administrative assistance for authorities.

They could be of assistance within 48 hours if help is needed.

In addition to the old people's homes, the greatest need in health departments is currently in contact tracking and in vaccination centers.

In the whole of Lower Saxony, 520 soldiers are currently deployed as part of administrative assistance, including 49 paramedics.

15 of the 121 helpers in old people's homes are medical workers.

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The head of the Oldenburg Friedas-Frieden-Stift and the Elisabethstift, Petra Schumann, would never have expected help so quickly after the application.

"Care for the elderly always comes at the end."

With Corona, new tasks have been added, for example suppliers now park everything in front of the door.

«It is an enormous effort.

We thought, how are we going to get through the winter with all this, including the tests that we are supposed to carry out. "

The soldiers' help brought noticeable relief.

“So we can take a day off or do not accumulate overtime in the evening.

There is also space to pause and take a breath - that is so important, ”said Schumann.

Neither carers nor residents would have any problems with the soldiers' uniform: "Everyone sees the same, I can ask for help."

Manager Schumann noticed another positive effect caused by the soldiers in the house: “Some residents are more nicely dressed.

We had the effect earlier when civilians were there. "