Senior advisory board plans fitness course for seniors

Created: 04/05/2022, 07:12

Hanka Schmitt-Luginger is chairwoman of the senior citizens' advisory board.

© Uli Singer

The Gilching Senior Advisory Board is currently developing a concept for a fitness course for seniors.

Chairwoman Hanka Schmitt-Luginger would then like to present the idea to the municipal council.

Gilching - "It's time for something to change," says Hanka Schmitt-Luginger, who has been chairwoman of the Senior Citizens' Advisory Board in Gilching for many years.

There have been repeated attempts to offer something for the older generation in the townscape, but so far without success.

"Our long-awaited boules lane doesn't exist yet," says Schmitt-Luginger.

Now she wants to create an action course with the support of her team, the community and local sponsors.

"He who rests, rusts" is Schmitt-Luginger's theme.

“Anyone who can afford to visit a gym with a personal trainer today has an advantage.

But many of our older people have to spend every penny and are happy if they can somehow cope with everyday life financially.” A membership in a studio is often no longer possible, she says.

That's why the Senior Citizens' Advisory Board repeatedly suggested installing a boules alley as a first step.

In discussions with seniors, however, it turned out that many would prefer a kind of fitness course.

“The idea is not new and has already proven itself in other cities and communities.

There are now also manufacturing companies that specialize in gymnastics and exercise equipment for older people," says Schmitt-Luginger.

“But that doesn't mean that younger people and people with disabilities can't also benefit from it.

We have in mind a parcours for all age groups with an integrated carpet of sounds and boule alley.” The park near the town hall is ideal as a location because mothers with children, senior citizens and dog owners already meet there.

A concept is currently being developed that the senior citizens' advisory board then wants to present to the municipal council.

Another focus within the Advisory Board is the topic of alternative forms of housing in old age.

Action days are planned across Bavaria in May under the patronage of the Ministry of Social Affairs.

“We plan to show a film with Gisela Schneeberger and Heiner Lauterbach about dignified and humane living in old age.

We will be announcing the exact date and location of the film screening shortly.”

Schmitt-Luginger emphasizes that increasing loneliness remains a key issue, not only among older people but also among more and more young mothers.

“It would be ideal if we could bring together the two groups that would complement each other well.

But that is easier said than done.

What stands in the way of this is strict data protection.

There is also a lack of space to organize casual get-togethers.”

The chairperson sees it as a success that the municipal council, at the request of the senior citizens' advisory board, approved 60,000 euros for large-area umbrellas in the new budget.

As reported, these should protect the mourners from snow and rain at funerals, but also from the great heat in summer.

Uli Singer