There are hardly any extended families any more and when there are, the grandparents, uncles and aunts are often scattered far and wide across the country – if they exist at all. Working people have to be flexible and mobile, but want their children to be well looked after. Older people, on the other hand, often lack contact, contact and a task. Normal interaction and assistance in everyday life are a thing of the past. As a result, informal networks, everyday skills and parenting knowledge also disappear. The multi-generation houses are a project of former Family Minister Ursula von der Leyen.
Meeting place for the generations
All generations under one roof, transferring the principle of the extended family to today’s society with few young and many old – this is the basic idea behind the multi-generation houses. However, it is less about people of different ages living together and more about mutual give and take, which is why critics find the name a little misleading. However, the focus is on the cohesion of the generations through the exchange between young and old as well as the care and services on offer for every age group.
Funding with millions
The nationwide multi-generation homes project was initiated by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ).
Regional networks
The aim is to utilize the experience and potential of all people and generations – young, old, singles, families, lay people or professional services. Cooperation and mutual support are also important outside the family.
Multi-generation houses are open meeting places where people of different ages come together. They help to support children, advise families, develop commitment, give older people a new task and develop family-oriented, intergenerational services. These range from childcare to household and gardening services to services for senior citizens.
Marketplace of services
Every age has something to offer – knowledge, stories, thoughts, experiences or certain skills. The aim is to establish a local market for services that are affordable and that local people really need. For example, the following could be part of a multi-generational house:
- Cafe/Bistro: The exchange of experiences and ideas over breakfast, lunch, cafe and cake – open to people of all ages.
- Exchange for services – offers via notice boards, internet; manual help in the household or garden; arranging domestic help, laundry service, flexible childcare, childminders, babysitters.
- Further professional training, getting back to work after parental leave or becoming self-employed as a service provider.
- Night café: Dementia patients who often cannot rest at night can meet there.
- Involvement of local businesses – offer services or make use of services.
- Exchange of experience between multi-generation houses via an intranet platform, transfer to other projects and initiatives.
According to the ministry, it is important that everyone pulls together. The commitment of many volunteers is necessary for the give-and-take to work and for life to come into the house. The initiators hope that with the help of these homes, the social divide can be overcome to some extent.
