Democracy starts with the coffee service. At the AWO care center Hans-Klenk-Haus in Ludwigsburg, the residents' council was recently allowed to choose the new dining service. What sounds banal has enormous significance for the residents of the care home. Is the crockery too small? Is it easy to handle? Is it easy to recognize the food on it? Such issues, but also the approval of the weekly menu and questions of accident prevention or renovation measures, are part of the remit of a residents' advisory board. "The residents are incredibly grateful that they can go to someone if they have any concerns," says Gunter Pfeiffer, who is now in his third year as a resident's council member at the Hans Klenk House.
The establishment of a residents' council is required by law and is intended to enable residents to have a say in matters relating to their daily lives. "Basically, it's about a great deal of self-determination," explains Peggy Stier from the geriatric care advisory service at the Ludwigsburg district office. In order to prepare people like Gunter Pfeiffer, who does not live in a care home himself, for the responsible work of a residents' council, there is a training series entitled "Fit for care home participation", which is organized by the Ludwigsburg District Office and the District Seniors' Council. Over the course of five mornings, participants are given an overview of legal principles, home supervision and finances, as well as medical and nursing aspects. Gunter Pfeiffer recommends the series from his own experience. "The training is particularly valuable when it comes to dealing with residents suffering from dementia," he says. But the exchange with the advisory boards of other care facilities is also important.
Info: The next "Fit for care home participation" training series starts on Wednesday, May 22. The number of participants is limited. Registration for the free event is still possible until Monday, May 20, at altenhilfe@landkreis-ludwigsburg.de or by calling 07141/144-45106.
