2023-10-01 06:52:09
Volunteering is important for living together and reduces the risk of developing dementia. The “Healthy & Active Aging Dialogue” is committed to creating new images of old age.
Volunteer work has a long tradition in Austria. Over 3.7 million people volunteer or do volunteer work in their free time. In total, they work 24 million hours every week for a good cause and thus make a significant contribution to social interaction. Older people in particular benefit from the social component that comes with volunteering.
Johannes Rauch, Minister of Health and President of the Healthy Austria Fund
Vienna (OTS) – „Volunteer work has a long tradition in Austria. Over 3.7 million people volunteer or do volunteer work in their free time. In total, they work 24 million hours every week for a good cause and thus make a significant contribution to social interaction. Older people in particular benefit from the social component that comes with volunteering.
“, emphasizes Johannes Rauch, Minister of Health and President of the Healthy Austria Fund (FGÖ) on the occasion of the UN World Day of Older People on October 1st.
However, volunteering not only provides social but also individual benefits. One Meta-study from Germany evaluated 14 studies and examined the connection between volunteering and cognitive performance. Nine of the studies conclude that volunteer work reduces the risk of developing dementia. Women, but also people with low formal educational qualifications, particularly benefit.
New pictures of old age
The “Healthy & Active Aging Dialogue” advocates for an active, healthy and long life for people in Austria. It contributes to increasing the number of healthy years of life and social participation in the older population, strengthening positive images of aging and anchoring a new culture of aging in society.
The guide “New images of old age – communicate appreciatively regarding old age” is intended to provide practical assistance in text and images to anyone who conveys information regarding old age. It is aimed at people who plan and implement projects with/for older people as well as media representatives and public relations workers: Inside.
The dialogue is a cooperation between the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, the umbrella organization of Austrian social insurance companies and the FGÖ.
Use project funding from the FGÖ
“Older people are more often affected by loneliness and health problems and are therefore an important target group for the Healthy Austria Fund. I invite organizations that want to create framework conditions for healthy aging and implement projects to take advantage of the FGÖ’s project funding. The relevant information is on www.fgoe.org/projektfoerderung “The team at the FGÖ office will also be happy to advise you,” says Klaus Ropin, head of the Healthy Austria Fund, the Austrian competence and funding agency for health promotion.
The FGÖ brochure “Stay healthy with commitment. Seniors in Portrait” makes older people want to volunteer.
The brochure profiles ten women and men who are involved in very different areas. They talk regarding what exactly they do, why they do it, how they benefit from it and what it means for their lives.
Now download the brochure or in Order printed form for free.
Questions & Contact:
Health Austria GmbH, Fund Healthy Austria division
Mag. Markus Mikl, communication
0676 848 191 129
markus.mikl@goeg.at, www.fgoe.org
1696143295
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