New elderly policy in the pipeline

In 2024 Alderman Marco Peters in various places in the city in conversation with 55-plussers about the elderly policy in the municipality of Heerlen. In the meantime, the new elderly policy is in the pipeline and he is going into the neighborhoods again to show what has been done with the collected ideas and suggestions. The goal is that the new elderly policy can be presented to the municipal council in March.

The new senior citizen policy was not only discussed with residents in the city. There was also intensive collaboration with social partners, professionals such as general practitioners, physiotherapists, housing corporations and senior citizens' associations. There was also special attention for the 55 to 67 age group. Including the meetings that are now being organised, the count is at 23, with input from hundreds of attendees. This is of great value, because it provides insight into the needs and wishes of our senior citizens. 

The discussions have shown that building sufficient senior housing and combating loneliness are important themes. But safety, meeting, health and good information provision are also essential for many people aged 55 and over. This also applies to labour participation and staying involved. These themes have therefore been included in the new policy plan.

Meetings 

The following meetings are planned: 

  • Wednesday January 22, 10.00 am: Butting-Inn Housing Room
  • Wednesday January 22, 2:45 PM: Welten Community Center
  • Thursday January 23, 1:30 PM: Our Meeting Center Hoensbroek 
  • Wednesday January 29, 10.30 am: Community Center Heksenberg 
  • Thursday January 30, 10:00 am: Neighborhood Point A Gene Bek
  • Thursday January 30, 2:45 PM: Cornelius House
  • Wednesday 19 February, 2:00 PM: Caumerbron
  • Thursday February 20, 2:00 PM: Luciushof

The Heerlen Senior Citizens Agreement

Alderman Marco Peters : “The input of our 55+s in all these meetings is worth its weight in gold. With their input, we can focus on issues that really matter. I want to show that result now. What we have done with their ideas and suggestions and with that, we have laid a solid foundation with which we can get to work specifically for the elderly, now and in the future. An essential new component is the Heerlen Senior Citizens Agreement. With all our partners in the city who contribute to the objectives of our new senior citizens policy, from senior citizens associations to healthcare providers, we want to conclude this agreement and jointly commit ourselves to its implementation. In this way, we will continue to join forces and together achieve the best result for the elderly in our city”.