Social support for older adults in Germany, using the example of senior citizens’ cooperatives

Purpose Senior citizens’ cooperatives are a form of civic engagement that have been successfully supporting older adults in Germany for 35 years. Volunteers are involved here in addition to existing assistance and care arrangements to enable older adults to remain at home for longer. As will be shown, senior citizens’ cooperatives are part of the supply structure for support and care, particularly in the context of demographic developments and the shortage of skilled labour. Design/methodology/approach A study of all senior citizens’ cooperatives in Germany found that their services can close an important gap in care provision, which is also of great importance for the future of home support and care. Senior citizens’ cooperatives also have an important social significance, bringing older adults together, preventing isolation and enabling them to actively participate in society. The study also shows that when it comes to long-term volunteering for other people, it is necessary to examine the conditions under which it is possible to expand civic involvement in supporting older adults and what should be taken into account. Findings The most important findings of this article are the explanation of the significance of senior citizens’ cooperatives in the care mix and the identification of necessary framework conditions for organised voluntary engagement. Originality/value In times of skilled labour shortages and ageing societies, this article highlights a little-known but effective alternative to conventional support and care arrangements. The method can be transferred to many countries, as demonstrated by several examples.