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. Whereas many find a meaningful task in volunteering, others get involved in the activities of the senior clubs. 20 clubs across the country offer a variety of activities, such as sports and excursions, language or cooking courses, literature circles and handicrafts.
For today’s piece on Local Matters, I had a visit to the senior club in Schifflange, to the classroom to be precise. Every Monday, Mike Goergen teaches English to a small group. Five women participate today, all in retirement age. Today, they continue the reading of the fairytale of the little mermaid. Teacher Mike writes the new vocabulary on the whiteboard – farther, to fetch and sorrow.
In the past weeks, the group wrote a fairytale. The little red riding hood in a different version – everyone imagined a new end to the story, Miriam recalls. Miriam did never have the time to learn English in her working life. Besides working and raising children, she has taught gymnastics and swimming. That’s what brought her to the senior club. She continues working as a coach in the club and has become a participant as well.
Most of the participants once learnt English, but a long time had passed since they last opened a vocabulary book. In the club Beim Kiosk in Schifflange, Charlotte participates in the English class and in a gymnastics course. For Charlotte, as well as for the other participants, the most important however is not learning English, but spending time together. Doris retired four years ago. She worked as a nurse, now she travels a lot and English is useful. Doris also participates in a German literature circle and in the Nordic walking class. Learning something new and getting the old brain cells to move, keeps the brain young and prevents Alzheimer’s. During the class, they exchange about what happens in the world and in their private lives, they chat about Abba and Cher, about tiny houses and the new Artificial intelligence ChatGPT , about children and grandchildren – in English of course.
Last year, they traveled to London and Brighton together, teacher Mike driving the mini-bus. Learning English is one part of the deal, staying active and being together the more important one at the senior club Beim Kiosk in Schifflange.
The activities of the senior clubs are open to all residents above the age of 50. This was our last episode of this week’s local Matters. We’ve had a look into different approaches to fight the risk of loneliness for elderly people. You can listen to all three features on our website aracityradio.com. And tune in again next week for a new topic on Local Matters.
Story from our Local Matters Archive