Model project catches on
Created: 09/09/2022, 20:00
By: Claudia Becker
"SIMBA" offers security in old age and care at home.
© Claudia Becker
Germering – Advice and care, home visits, accompanying you to the doctor or shopping or joint excursions – “SIMBA” offers all of this: security in old age, care at home.
Now, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary, we looked back on the past few years and celebrated the wide range of offers for Germeringer seniors that have emerged over the years.
In addition to the clients, employees and companions of the project were also invited.
Simba was a heart project of the former municipal and later city councilor Friedl Off (CSU), who was also a co-founder of the social service.
As a social officer, she has implemented many projects for the city and its residents, including Simba.
“Simba stands for shared experiences.
Contacts can be maintained here,” explains Sabine Brügel-Fritzen, head of the social service, in her words of welcome.
Together with the manager of Simba, Annette Zaus, she tells about the beginnings and the development of the former model project, which was launched in 2002 and is intended to relieve the Germeringer seniors in everyday life.
"No one should be lonely in old age," said Third Mayor Sophie Schuhmacher, who was on site that day on behalf of Mayor Andreas Haas.
Because one thing is clear after 20 years,
the project quickly caught on.
Several neighboring communities followed Germering's example and set up similar offers for senior citizens.
A project that the city of Germering is proud of to this day and that, according to Schuhmacher, speaks of a “good social infrastructure”.
It cannot be taken for granted that the offer still exists today and is so well received, says co-founder Sonja Thiele.
After all, the wishes of senior citizens were different 20 years ago and have changed again and again over time.
It cannot be taken for granted that the offer still exists today and is so well received, says co-founder Sonja Thiele.
After all, the wishes of senior citizens were different 20 years ago and have changed again and again over time.
It cannot be taken for granted that the offer still exists today and is so well received, says co-founder Sonja Thiele.
After all, the wishes of senior citizens were different 20 years ago and have changed again and again over time.
Sabine Brügel-Fritzen (left), Head of Social Services, and Annette Zaus (right), Head of SIMBA, welcomed the guests.
© Claudia Becker
On average, the clients have an age range of 65 to 100 years, and the helpers one from 55 to around 80 years, says Zaus, who took over the management in 2017, with a look at the guests who spent the afternoon with coffee and cake in the Amadeussaal enjoyed.
"With Simba, we want to fill a niche that's not covered by home care," she explains.
In addition to personal home visits and accompaniment to the doctor, offers such as games meetings or coffee afternoons are also gladly accepted by the seniors.
But the helpers are also offered a lot, such as regular training courses or a get-together for mutual exchange.
With a view to the future, Zaus says, Simba also wants to open up more to digitization - because senior citizens are also active online and they want to continue to support that.
Claudia Becker
