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Alte Freunde sind die besten!
Start date: Aug 1, 2014, End date: Sep 30, 2015 PROJECT  FINISHED 

Visiting elderly people who feel alone is the most important work carried out by Freunde alter Menschen (friends of the elderly). Our abiding motto is: “old friends are best.” The goal of the project is to promote education and training of volunteers so that they can make a positive contribution to combating loneliness and social isolation in society. The project provides an opportunity for young people early in their careers to take on an important task to improve the lives of vulnerable elderly. The partcipant had the opportunity to learn in different circumstances and contexts about the situation of elderly and to realize common activities. The range encompassed this small assistance in helping dependent people with dementia to computer courses for "young elderly" that he designed independently. We expect participants who have a general interest in contact with older people and a common contact "eye to eye" . The training / education background is secondary. A certain level of knowledge in our national language is certainly desirable. We also expect a motivation that (at least half a year) also carries over a longer period and a minimum level of independence. The participant quickly found a good contact with the elderly, with whom he met. Especially an old lady helped him in the first few months to improve his knowledge of German; with her he established an almost friendly relationship. In a 'grandchild -role " the participant had quick access to the heart of our old old friends. With our dementia residents in our assistant living apartments the contact was initially difficult because of the limited language skills. Here was the initial commitment, especially in the company of outdoor activities. The project provides an opportunity for young people early in their careers to take on an important task to improve the lives of vulnerable elderly. Through in-house training that we make based on the experience of volunteers , they are supported in their activity. Beside this there is a permanent accompaniment by our coordinators and experienced volunteers of our organization. The goal of the project is to promote education and training of volunteers so that they can make a positive contribution to combating loneliness and social isolation in society. Our organization works with about 200 elderly people , many of whom feel left out of society. The volunteers spend time visiting , organizing trips and activities with older people, they learn about their life experience and gain an understanding of aging and intergenerational tolerance through activities. In addition, they work together with a group of volunteers , which is characterized by a wide mix of ethnic, geographic and religious backgrounds. Currently , volunteers from 11 nations are engaged in our organization. The participant participated in most of our activities in different locations. He visited elderly in their homes, accomnied them in outdoor-trips and partcipated in different events at our offices, like coffe-clutch, games and dance.
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