Community matters - The SPD party criticizes the costly research into loneliness.
The Social Democratic Party (SPD) has criticized the state government for ignoring social issues. Birte Pauls, a health politician from SPD, spoke to the German Press Agency about the causes of loneliness among seniors: "The most common reasons for loneliness in old age are likely poverty, illness, lack of education, changing life circumstances, and insufficient responses." She critiqued a study commissioned by the state government that cost 63,600 euros: "We don't have a knowledge problem, we have a lack of action. Expensive studies won't change that. Other countries have been tackling this for years using different approaches."
Minister for Social Affairs of the Green Party, Aminata Touré, accused Pauls of not wanting to shape social policy. "We need to stop wasting time on working groups, round tables, commissions, tenders, and studies. These activities hinder us from taking immediate action. Social policy is not just about nice images on social media. It lays the foundation for a fair and harmonious society."
Pauls noted that many people in nursing homes or care facilities feel lonely due to limited opportunities to participate in social activities, which is often caused by a lack of respite care. She emphasized the importance of addressing loneliness, as it can have severe implications on physical and mental health. Pauls also mentioned a proposal from the Workers' Welfare Association - social neighborhood management - as a potential solution.
"In Denmark, on-site social work has been going on for decades, and in England, there's even a separate ministry dedicated solely to combating loneliness as a cross-cutting issue," said Pauls. The SPD has already come up with a solution dubbed 'Vor-Ort-für-dich-Kraft' that would analyze the needs for support in daily life and involve the local community in helping out."
