In the second week of September 2019, the canton of Basel-Stadt published its "Basel 55+" guidelines. What does is meant by such a paper?

Why "Basel 55+" 

Let's start at the beginning: In the canton of Basel-Stadt, the Department of Health (GD) implemented the proposal in 2013 for senior citizens' organizations to work with working groups to find solutions to problems affecting the elderly population. 

The key topics were care and nursing, securing livelihoods, health promotion and prevention, information, integration and migration as well as intergenerational relationships, potential and skills, safety and mobility, networking and new technologies, security of supply and housing. 

Considering the diversity of the older population group 

In September 2019, it was explained that modern ageing policy encompasses different generations, but also the diversity of the older population group with its different needs. The current guidelines cover individual topics such as autonomy, subsidiarity and cooperation. Each individual keyword first states what the canton promotes or advocates. For each keyword, the canton also explains the topic and provides relevant background information. 

Guideline no. 11, for example, is entitled "Potential and skills". It states that the canton supports "local self-help and neighborhood assistance". And: "It develops measures to recognize post-professional and post-family voluntary work." Among other things, the explanatory text addresses the post-retirement phase of life. The latter frees up new time resources. 

So far so good. 

Ambitious goals 

When examined somewhat critically, these guidelines are first and foremost commitments to the various issues - no more and no less. I believe that each individual point has certainly been analyzed in depth. However, the goals are ambitious and there are many ideas in the room. One way or another, it will become clear in a few years' time whether the canton of Basel-Stadt has achieved its newly defined goals or whether it has been overrun or overtaken by history. And let's hope that the ideas don't become paper tigers. 

Have I whetted your appetite to study the guidelines? To www.aelterbasel.ch you will find a lot of information as well as the new compilation of the above-mentioned keywords in the brochure "Basel55+".

Just a little serious:

Recently, or more precisely: the day before yesterday, I turned old. Good, almost everyone gets old at some point and it's been a long time coming. So "suddenly old" would be an exaggeration. But I realize how long ago I had said before: I'm not sixty yet. So now I am. That is very strange. Until now, it was always others.

I notice various things: In the last year I was asked twice whether I was still working or already retired. It is undeniable that I look old enough to be a pensioner.

I'm not complaining about it. I don't want to be be young again. Maybe a little bit younger sometimes. But it's okay the way it is.

Besides less pleasant things like more health health issues and the fact that I push my bike uphill more often than I ride it. up the hill more often than I cycle, there are also positive things:

I have developed a super power: Young people can't see me. They almost walk right through me. I can listen to them listen to them, they don't realize I'm there. Would it be possible to use the ability to make yourself invisible? Only in the fight for good, of course, like all superheroes.

Another thing is that young women approach me on the street on the street when they are looking for an address. I obviously look look harmless. Nobody changes sides of the street because of me. Perhaps a white-haired aura of wisdom surrounding me?

I don't have to do as much as I used to. I no longer no longer have to prove anything to anyone. I have friends who have stuck by me for so long that they won't cut me off because of the slightest mistake. I can allow myself to say the occasional weird thing.

On the train, I can ask strong young men to lift my lift my suitcase, which is far too heavy as usual, into the luggage rack. They are happy to do it, is my experience. No one has ever refused to help me refused to help me.

When I walk through the city or use public transport I realize that there are more and more of us. Or I finally see them the other senior citizens. Maybe I was blind to them too? Or not yet recognized their super power to make themselves invisible? Sometimes I give a friendly, knowing nod when our paths cross. We know things that many still don't know.

My advice to all senior citizens: don't tell the youngsters what they should do. Ask them what concerns them, what is important to them in life. life. Show genuine interest. Only tell your old stories if you are asked. Never say: "I know exactly what that's like", even if it's true. That's one of the strange things, that within a split second I can feel again what I felt 20, 30 or 40 years ago. For example that it annoyed me when an "old man" told me: I know exactly what you are missing.

And sometimes I know, at a party for example or an invitation: now is the time to go. The young people still need some time among themselves. I don't need to know everything. If they want to, then they will come with their questions and concerns. I will listen and only give give advice sparingly. And only if that's what they want.

A little more serious:

I still have 5 years of paid work ahead of me. Still I'm still needed for various tasks. That's a gift. And then? I see how urgently volunteers are needed in the church. Especially older people who have retained a young and open heart. They can give so much in the way of attention and a serene view of life. The storms that young adults have to go through today in a world that is spinning ever faster. faster and faster: we seniors know that people do not change at this pace. change at this pace. They need to go for walks, stroll around without a plan, they need time for culture, it needs good neighbors and friends. It needs generations that can benefit incredibly from each other.

What is true for the church is also true for our society. Seniors@Work is a platform with huge potential. If it didn't exist it didn't exist, someone would have to invent it. Fortunately, that has already happened!

Rev. Martin Dürr, Reformed Co-Head of the Parish Office for Industry and Business BS BL

Have you ever typed the word "seniors" in Google? In 41 seconds this Internet provider returns around 82 million (82,000,000!) results.

I had to smile that at the top of the list was a "single seniors" dating site. A dating site. This is followed, of course, by the usual keywords such as "Senior - Wikipedia" or "SeniorBasel" or "Älter Basel: Home" through to "SeniorenUNI".

If you click through, then you will eventually come to interesting pages such as "Senioren Greifensee" or "Senior citizens Würenlingen". Frutigen has its own page for Frutigen has its own page for senior citizens, the Central Switzerland Football Association calls the even offers "free senior jobs". Büsingen, Geuensee, Kreuzlingen and all the other towns are listed with the word "Seniors" on the net. Even travel providers can be found: Special offers for older people are apparently in demand. An automobile association offers driving courses for seniors, golf can also be learned as a senior and Ice skating in the Rhine Valley is great for seniors! The Tarifverbund Nordwestschweiz offers courses on "Being & staying mobile" and last but not least, the political parties in Switzerland are also currently courting older people.

And I definitely had to laugh, when I found several entries under the label "Seniors 30+"! I'm going to this to my children!

Beatrice