In January 2023, ENIEC member Meltem Baskay, the Geriatric-Cordinator of the district administration Reinickendorf, is leading a project titled “Berlin Home Visits“.
This is as a preventive offer for community dwelling older people. The project is financed by the Senate Department for Higher Education and Research, Health and Long-Term Care. The program is rolled out in seven districts in Berlin, one of them is Reinickendorf where Meltem is working. The preventive house visits in Berlin organized by the Malteser, which is a service aimed at providing support and assistance to elderly individuals living independently in their own homes. Trained professionals (“Lotesen-Team“) from the Malteser organization will visit the homes of these individuals to assess their living conditions, identify potential risks, and provide guidance on how to maintain a safe and healthy living environment.
During the visit, the Malteser representatives may evaluate the overall safety of the house, including checking for hazards such as loose rugs or electrical wires. They may also provide advice on fall prevention, medication management, and other health-related concerns. Additionally, they can offer information on available community resources and services that may benefit the elderly person.
The preventive house visits are intended to promote the well-being and independence of older adults, helping them to age in place comfortably. The Malteser organization aims to ensure the safety and quality of life for seniors in Berlin through these proactive interventions.
In Reinickendorf we started with a pilot neigbourhood, where we send the information about the home visits for all residents 70plus. If they wanted to get visited, they call the professionals and make an appointment in their house or another place (like neigbourhood-center, coffee-shop). The aim of the home visits is to guide the elderly in the offers near by them and support to get in contact with them. We had already 150 home visits, and found that the eldery who live alone wanted more social contacts. In Reinickendorf we will therefore be working on reducing social isolation and loneliness among the elderly.
Written by Meltem Baskaya
Do you want to know more about the program? Email Meltem: meltem.baskaya@reinickendorf.berlin.de
