© Carine Lemmer
Loneliness and digital exclusion are among the most critical problems facing older people today, German politician Christa Möller-Metzger stated in an RTL Radio interview Wednesday, urging cities to create more inclusive communities.
On the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons, observed annually on 1 October, German politician and European Green Seniors Vice-President Christa Möller-Metzger highlighted the critical issues of loneliness and social exclusion facing the elderly.
In an interview with our colleagues from RTL Radio on Wednesday, Möller-Metzger, who was in Luxembourg for a conference, explained that a significant problem is the isolation many older people experience as family members move away and friends pass away.
Advocating for age-friendly cities
As a proponent of the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Age-friendly Cities network, Möller-Metzger called for the creation of free, accessible spaces where older people can gather. She pointed to her hometown of Hamburg, which she helped join the network, as an example. Over 100 initiatives have been launched there, ranging from "friendship benches" that encourage social interaction to wider pavements and better-lit paths to improve safety and accessibility.
Combating digital and social exclusion
Möller-Metzger identified the digital divide as another key source of exclusion for older people and argued that proactive measures are needed to address it. She also emphasised the importance of "good local amenities," where essential services like shops and banks are within walking distance. She praised the free shuttle minibuses offered in many Luxembourg municipalities as "a good alternative."
Overall, Möller-Metzger acknowledged that "a lot is already being done for the older generations in Luxembourg," expressing particular enthusiasm for the country's free public transport.
When asked if specific policy for older people is necessary, her answer is always an unequivocal "yes". She justified this by stating that without explicit mention, the needs of the elderly are often overlooked unintentionally. She stressed that infrastructure and policies designed for older people ultimately benefit all generations. Her overarching goal, she concluded, is to foster more exchange and contact between the young and the old.
