Planning for the Elderly

Strategic planning for elder care serves as an interface between the social services and health care sectors. It is part of integrated social planning and focuses on the target group of older adults.

The basis for this planning is established by the measures for senior care outlined in Section 71 of SGB XII. The goal is to ensure that older adults have opportunities for participation and can maintain their independence foras long as possible. This includes balancing current resources with needs in both open, active, and preventive senior services as well as in long-term care. Other keyareasinclude leisure, housing and the living environment, health and sustainability, culture and education, as well as nursing care and support. In the area of senior care planning, the participation of older adults as well as the providers of services, facilities, and programs is afundamental principle. The planning serves to prepare the ground for decisions in political bodies.

Further information can be found on the City of Jena’s Senior Citizens Portal.

Senior Citizens' Advisory Board

The Senior Services Planning Department serves as the point of contact for the Advisory Board and supports the working groups on Public Order/Safety/Urban Development, Culture, Education/Sports, and Social Affairs/Health/Care. The needs of older adults identified here are incorporated into senior services planning.

Network Meeting for Open Senior Services

The coordination and organization of this external committee, which meets monthly, is focused on facilitating exchange among stakeholders in community-based senior services. The network’s goal is to identify the needs of older adults and incorporate them into the planning and management of senior services.

Jena Local Alliance for People with Dementia Network

The City of Jena is the projectsponsor . The project focuses on raising public awareness and providing education, as well as advocating for respect, kindness, and a willingness to help people with dementia and their families. In terms of senior care planning, the focus is on planning and implementing new projects designed specifically to promote the participation of people with dementia. Where necessary, existing services are realigned.

Advisory Board for Strengthening the Participation of Older Adults—Ways Out of Loneliness and Social Isolation—Aging in the Community, Thuringian Initiative Against Loneliness/AGATHE

The City of Jena is the sponsor of the AGATHE project. The steering committee oversees the planned establishment of a mobile, outreach-based social counseling service for older adults in Jena who are unable or no longer able to participate in social life. Where necessary, existing services are realigned.

2023 Report on Older Adults and Recommendations for Action for the City of Jena

Demographic change and the growing elderly population pose particular challenges for municipal public services. The City of Jena is addressing demographic change and its consequences with this Senior Citizens Report. The goal is to develop measures for creating a stable, age-appropriate infrastructure. This planning serves to prepare the ground for decisions by political bodies.

Care—What to Do?!

“Care—What to Do?!” is a guide for people in need of assistance and care, as well as their relatives and friends. The brochure is intended to provide you with an overview of key services available in our city. In addition to professional support services, outpatient and inpatient facilities, it lists counseling and information centers that can help you find support in various ways. You can view the guide under “Downloads” or visit me to receive a copy.

The new edition has been available since March 2026.

Community on Prescription

“Community on Prescription” is a project designed to promote social participation among older adults in Jena. Primary care physicians can refer older patients in need of support to the agathe specialist counseling service. 
The project was piloted in selected neighborhoods in Jena from April 2026 to September 2026.

Starting in October 2026, interested family physicians can request prescription pads and information by mail. 
Other organizations and municipalities can receive information on implementation and the prescription template upon request.

Under “Downloads” on this page, you can find the informational flyer and a preview of the prescription.