Demographic change in the Ostalbkreis: Nursing needs increase dramatically!
Demographic change in the Ostalbkreis: Nursing needs increase dramatically!
Ostalbkreis, Deutschland - The demographic change poses major challenges for the Ostalb district. A look into the future shows that by 2035, every fourth person in the district will probably be 65 years or older - at the moment it is about 20 percent. This tendency not only affects the age structure, but also on all areas of life, especially care.
Data from 2021 show that the age group of over 65-year-olds currently accounts for 14 percent of the population, while the proportion of under 20 year olds is 19 percent. According to the forecast for 2035, however, the age structure will change noticeably:
- 20% under 20 years
- 22% between 20 and under 40 years
- 32% between 40 and under 65 years
- 19% between 65 and under 80 years
- 7% over 80 years
increasing need for care
One of the most striking challenges is the increasing number of people in need of care. The Ostalb district will be affected by an increase of 15,804 people in need of care in 2025 to 19,066 people in need of care up to 2040. This corresponds to an increase of over 20 percent. Particularly alarming: around a third of these people will be dependent on professional care in the future.
Currently 55 percent of those in need of care are cared for by relatives at home, while 19 percent receive help from mobile nursing services. However, it is pointed out that more than half of those in need of care are over 80 years old, which is a special challenge for the health system. Forum Verlag also emphasizes that the care facilities suffer from an aging workforce and a shortage of skilled workers.
measures in the Ostalbkreis
In order to meet these challenges, the Ostalb district has taken several measures. This includes the overall senior policy concept, the need for care as well as the establishment of a nursing support point and the organization of nursing conferences. As part of the “Herz Plus Ostalb” nursing campaign, foreign nurses are also actively promoted. In order to promote the offspring, an information fair for school classes will take place on July 10, the young people bring the multitude of career opportunities closer to care.
The cooperation with the PH Schwäbisch Gmünd to promote AI in nursing shows that innovative approaches are also pursued to support care. In addition, a “care spamp” is developed by the DRK for Aalen to get an overview of the current care situation. This is particularly important because forecasts by the Federal Statistical Office will increase the number of people in need of care by 2035 to over 6 million.
specialist shortage and training
A central topic remains the shortage of skilled workers. The training in nursing professions is characterized by high demolition rates. In addition, a significant part of the current nurses will retire in the next few years. This means that not only the number of people in need of care increases, but also those who need care themselves.
In order to meet these needs, increased recruitment and binding of employees are urgently necessary. Experience shows that older nurses bring valuable life and professional experience, but have an increased need for further training, which represents additional challenges for the care facilities. Career Germany describes the importance of promoting a pleasant work environment to reduce the workload.
In summary, it can be said: Demographic change affects all and the solutions require joint action. The Ostalbkreis has taken the first steps, but in order to be prepared in the long term, a broad social debate about the challenges of nursing must be addressed. In the next few years a clear strategy will be required to secure the quality of life for all generations.Schwäbische Post still reports on developments in the region and what effects of demographic change will still have.
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| Ort | Ostalbkreis, Deutschland |
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