Elderly Transport Service: Combating Isolation through Mobility
Senior Riksha Service: Promoting Social Interaction and Mobility
In Barmstedt, Hamed Karimi, a young volunteer driver, arrives at an assisted living facility each morning with his riksha. His arrival is eagerly anticipated by the residents, such as Charlotte Kock and Erwin Drews, both 89 and 83 respectively. Despite their reliance on walkers, they look forward to a journey around the Rantzauer See.
Karimi is one of seven volunteer drivers for the Malteser, who offer free riksha rides around Barmstedt and its surroundings. The 39-year-old Afghan refugee, who is currently pursuing studies in social sciences, volunteers to fulfill his social responsibility and feels a connection with the seniors as he interacts with them.
The riksha, moved by an electric motor, glides through the pedestrian zone at 25 km/h, providing a means of transportation for the elderly and those with mobility issues. last year, around 40 rides were taken. Passengers decide on their destination.
The riksha trip brings back memories of cycling for Charlotte Kock, who has not sat on a bicycle since suffering a stroke eight years ago. Erwin Drews, a former motorcyclist, likens the feeling of freedom in the riksha to that on his bike. For Karimi, each ride is a unique experience, reminiscent of reading a newspaper with different stories and perspectives.
The riksha service has been available in Barmstedt for three years, and similar services exist in Travemünde. Plans are underway to establish services in Lübeck and Norderstedt, pending the recruitment of volunteer drivers.
When the rain starts at the Rantzauer See, Karimi folds up the riksha's canopy. After about two hours, he drops off his passengers at the senior home, and both express their desire for another ride.
Establishing a riksha service for seniors involves identifying community needs, recruiting volunteer drivers, providing training and safety measures, managing logistics, securing funding, and cooperating with local authorities. For those interested in starting such a service in Lübeck and Norderstedt, it is recommended to engage with local community centers or volunteer organizations for more information.
- The riksha service, focused on promoting social interaction and mobility, is not limited to senior health and wellness but also extends to fitness and exercise, as Charlotte Kock finds a sense of remembrance from her past cycling days, and Erwin Drews feels a similar freedom akin to motorcycling.
- Mental health is an integral part of the riksha service experience, as Hamed Karimi, a volunteer driver, finds his interaction with seniors fulfilling his social responsibility, and each ride offers him a unique perspective, much like reading a diverse collection of newspaper articles.
- The riksha service, in its efforts to cater to the needs of an aging population, is not exclusive to men's health but also addresses women's health concerns, as both Charlotte Kock and Erwin Drews, residents of the assisted living facility, make use of this service despite their respective health issues.
- Science plays a crucial role in the development and operation of the riksha service, as the electric-powered riksha is designed to accommodate the mobility needs of seniors, and ongoing plans to establish services in Lübeck and Norderstedt involve researching and implementing effective community engagement strategies and safety measures.
