Showcasing the isolation of senior citizens: A heartwarming initiative by AWO

In an effort to increase awareness and combat loneliness among the elderly, residents of AWO Weser-Ems care facilities have created artworks, including paintings, poems, and quotes, to provide a glimpse into their emotional lives.

The initiative, showcasing the powerful impact of art on expressing feelings, has seen residents share deeply introspective and poignant pieces that may otherwise remain hidden. Heinz Doering (88) from Wilhelmshaven, for instance, has shared his emotions on canvas stating, "My head is empty. I'm sad, no interest, I'm tired."

Gunhild Voigt from Leer has created a black-and-white self-portrait sitting alone on a bench, with the caption, "No one knows the other. Everyone is alone." Other contributions expressed the longing for companionship, "I just want to be held once," or the feeling of being pushed away by family.

However, the artworks are not solely somber, as some also depict the positive aspects of quiet moments, such as Barbel's words, "I am surrounded by many people who mean well and always have a kind word for me."

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Throughout the Association's facilities, residents have engaged in various collaborative projects, ranging from collages to painting actions and group projects. In Emden's Gezeitenhaus, residents teamed up with young people to create artwork on Future Day. Meanwhile, the Pauline-Ahlsdorff-House in Wilhelmshaven and the Altenwohnzentrum Esens have also witnessed a flurry of emotional artwork.

Julia Dräger, an AWO employee, emphasized the importance of providing space for emotional expression, stating, "This takes time, but it's valuable."

While loneliness is often associated with the elderly, the reality is far more complex, as loneliness affects individuals of all age groups. A recent study by the Bertelsmann Foundation highlights that loneliness is increasing across the population, resulting from factors such as the dissolution of classical life forms, the disappearance of family or church networks, and the embracement of digital communication over direct contact.

Young people are also not immune to feelings of loneliness, with many experiencing the psychological consequences of isolation, such as depression. According to a study by Germany Barometer Depression 2024, 94% of respondents see loneliness as a significant cause of depression.

https://www.awo-ol.de/Aktuelles-Presse/Spenden/

In response to the pervasiveness of loneliness, AWO Weser-Ems offers support and services to combat social isolation in its facilities and throughout the region. A multimedia page, presenting highly personal experiences with loneliness, may be found at this link.

AWO Weser-Ems' Board member Thomas Elsner expressed the importance of the organization's work in fighting isolation, stating, "Our employees are doing incredible work. Their warmth is a strong sign against isolation - and a call to us all to look closely."

Founded over 150 years ago, AWO Weser-Ems employs over 4,000 people in around 80 facilities, offering a wide range of social services including care, childcare, psychosocial participation, and advice. As a political association, it advocates for the people in the region and works towards a democratic and just society.

With its focus on art, collaboration, and human connection, the AWO Weser-Ems initiative reminds us all of the power of genuine social interactions, particularly in old age. It also serves as a call to action for all of us to address loneliness in our communities and to extend our support to those who may feel isolated.

https://www.awo-ol.de/Aktuelles-Presse/Podcast/

The artworks created by the elderly residents of AWO Weser-Ems care facilities, such as paintings, poems, and quotes, not only provide a glimpse into their emotional lives but also illustrate the intersection of science, health-and-wellness, and mental-health, particularly in the context of aging.
As the AWO Weser-Ems initiative demonstrates, art can play a significant role in addressing issues related to mental health and well-being among the aged, offering a platform for emotional expression that may help combat feelings of loneliness and isolation.