On Local Matters this week we talk about retirement and the risk of loneliness. Elderly people are particularly vulnerable to the risk of falling into loneliness. The mandatory structure of the working life is not given anymore and once retired, people have to find new tasks and new habits to stay active in society. Yesterday, we had Laura Zuccoli and Astrid Lauterbach in the interview. They both volunteer as retirement trainers in the program Pensiounscoach at the Gero Kompetenzzenter fir den Alter. We talked about their task to guide others into retirement. And about the challenges of this transition into a new phase of life.

Today, our guest is Gaby Monville. Gaby is a member of the association Beienhaus. Beienhaus Asbl aims to set up and promote a housing project where elderly people would live together in housing communities. Living together reduces the risk of falling into loneliness and depression. The residents can support each other and need less help from external services. In our interview, Gaby explains the concept of such a housing model.

The Beienhaus Asbl invites all interested people to get in touch. Every first Thursday of the month at 5 pm, they meet at the Café Litteraire Bovary in Weimerskirch. Everyone is welcome to drop by, get information, get coffee, and chat about the idea of co-living for elderly people. You can find more information on the association’s website www.beienhaus.lu.