Local Planning

The districts and independent cities in North Rhine-Westphalia are obliged to ensure a care service structure that meets local needs. It is important in this context that services are provided and further developed in a locality- or neighborhood-specific manner, allowing older individuals to live as much as possible in their place of choice. The Oberbergischer Kreis has set the goal of ensuring a comprehensive range of various care forms. Efforts should be made to ensure that all types of services are available in every municipality, so that older and care-dependent individuals can usually find and utilize the care they need within their immediate environment.

To fulfill this obligation, districts and independent cities must create a so-called Local Planning (formerly Municipal Care Planning). This planning includes:

• an inventory of existing services

• determination of whether there are sufficient services available, both qualitatively and quantitatively, and

• clarification of whether and, if necessary, which measures are required to establish, secure, or further develop services.

The planning includes complementary support, various living and care forms, target-group-specific service forms, as well as the development of local infrastructure. It incorporates overarching aspects of senior-friendly neighborhood development to ensure a dignified, inclusive, and self-determined life, civic engagement, and health care. Furthermore, it forecasts future care needs and requirements for various care services. It must be published free of charge online as well as in other suitable forms.

The following individuals are available as contacts at the Social Affairs Office of the Oberbergischer Kreis, Moltkestr. 42, 51643 Gummersbach: