Social Security in Frankfurt (Oder): Focus on Care, Dementia, and Poverty Prevention

Social Security and Care: New Offers and Structures in Frankfurt (Oder)

In the city of Frankfurt (Oder), social welfare is gaining increasing importance on the political agenda. In March 2026, the Committee for Equality, Health, Social Affairs, and Integration (GGSI) discussed various initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for residents. Special attention was given to the neighborhood support program and the introduction of a new dementia advisory service.

Neighborhood Support: Supporting Care-Dependent People in Daily Life

The neighborhood support program in Frankfurt (Oder) is a concrete offer that provides assistance to care-dependent individuals in their home environment. Eligible individuals are those with a care level of at least 1 who live in home-based care. The support ranges from shopping and household assistance to accompanying them to medical appointments or participating in joint exercise sessions.

A central aspect is that the neighborhood support is provided on a voluntary basis—it is not a paid employment relationship. Volunteers receive a maximum compensation of 10 € per hour or 131 € per month. To ensure quality, they undergo a free training program to prepare them for their tasks.

The Neighborhood Agency, in collaboration with the Intergenerational Center MIKADO, is responsible for organizing and managing the program. Interested individuals can contact the agency directly by email or phone. Billing is handled through the nursing insurance companies, making integration into the existing system easier.

Dementia Advisory Service: A New Approach for Affected People and Their Relatives

Another highlight was the introduction of the new dementia advisory service by the Wichern Advisory Center. This service is available monthly for affected individuals, their relatives, and interested parties, offering guidance on care issues, relief options, and daily support. The advisory service is supplemented by quarterly training sessions on topics such as communication with people with dementia or legal issues.

A special advantage is the mobile advisory service, which provides direct support to individuals who are unable to visit the advisory center. In addition, a podcast is in the planning stages to reach people who cannot attend in-person events. Building a network with doctors, nursing services, and self-help groups is a central part of the strategy.

Poverty Prevention and Social Integration: Challenges and Solutions

In addition to care and dementia advisory services, the topics of poverty and social integration were also in focus. In the thematic compilation for the GGGI committee's work plan for 2026, suggestions were discussed on how the city of Frankfurt (Oder) can improve the socio-economic situation. Key areas of focus included homelessness, housing assistance, debt counseling, and pensioner poverty.

The discussion on developing a municipal poverty prevention strategy is a sign that the city is actively responding to social inequality. Low-threshold support, financial assistance, and strengthening self-help groups are central elements. In addition, proposals for better integration through language courses and barrier-free services in public administration were discussed.

Outlook: Strengthening Social Structures as a Long-Term Challenge

The measures discussed in March 2026 in Frankfurt (Oder) show that the city is deliberately engaging with social issues. The neighborhood support program and the dementia advisory service are concrete examples of how local initiatives can contribute to stabilizing society. At the same time, poverty prevention remains a central challenge that requires long-term planning and cooperation.

The integration of volunteer structures, the strengthening of digitalization in social work, and the securing of skilled workers in the social sector are further key topics that will be in the spotlight in the coming months. Frankfurt (Oder) demonstrates that social security is not only a state project, but also a societal one.