Mysłowice Seniors’ Council It was established in 2015 with the aim of improving the quality of life for older people in the town of Mysłowice. The Council’s term of office lasts four years, and the Council itself comprises 23 members. The Council’s role is to provide opinions on local legislation and to work closely with the City Council on matters of importance to people aged 60 and over living in Mysłowice. However, the Council is also active in many other areas. Find out why the work of the Mysłowice Senior Citizens’ Council is important and necessary.
The situation of people aged 60 and over in Mysłowice
According to GUS, in 2020, the population of Mysłowice stood at almost 75,000. This figure has remained stable since 2017. 21.2% of the population are people of post-working age. The city recognises the needs of the over-60s, which is why, since 2021, the city has been running „Senior-Wigor” Day Centre” and „Senior+” Day Centre”. These centres run programmes to engage socially inactive residents aged 60 and over, but they do not meet all the needs identified by the members of the Mysłowice Senior Citizens’ Council.
Available resources
Older people view the work of the University of the Third Age and the Municipal Cultural Centre in supporting those aged 60 and over in a positive light. Furthermore, in 2023, the City opened a community centre for residents, including those aged 60 and over, at 8 Grunwaldzka Street. Urban Lab organises interesting meetings, including providing a venue for events aimed at people aged 60 and over.
Mysłowice’s senior councillors listed the following as other institutions of importance to older people:
- non-governmental organisations working on behalf of older people,
- parishes,
- District Councils,
- Municipal Social Welfare Centre.
The participatory budgeting scheme is a very important part of the city’s support system for older people. It can be used to fund initiatives led by active older people.
Another asset noted by people aged 60 and over is the large number of places in geriatric hospitals and a sense of local pride.
Challenges faced by people aged 60 and over
The work of the Mysłowice Senior Citizens’ Council is based on its strengths and available resources. It is carried out with the aim of alleviating the problems faced by people aged 60 and over in the town.
The main challenge facing councillors and the town is the low level of engagement among older people. Possible reasons for this problem include:
- communication barriers,
- architectural barriers,
- There are no venues in the districts for gatherings of people aged 60 and over, including senior citizens’ clubs.
Unfortunately, the barriers mentioned above require considerable financial investment. An opportunity to change this situation may arise with the launch of further government and EU programmes, from which the City is keen to draw funding. In addition to public transport, Mysłowice’s senior councillors also consider the lack of benches to facilitate movement around the city to be a barrier to mobility. The concept for the Mysłowice Senior Citizens’ Bench has already been developed (you can find out more about this initiative in this text). Efforts are currently under way to secure funding for this project.
The Mysłowice Senior Citizens’ Council, like others who are actively involved in senior citizens’ communities, also notes that needs relating to the provision of social services for people aged 60 and over. These include respite care and rehabilitation. Unfortunately, some of the social services required have not been identified because, as in other neighbouring towns, older people find it very difficult to reach out to and obtain information from other older people.
Chances
The Mysłowice Seniors’ Council is hoping for the City securing further funding to improve the quality of life for people aged 60 and over in the city. In addition to new programmes, senior citizens see well-run neighbourhood support and volunteering schemes – including intergenerational volunteering – as an opportunity. Such initiatives will contribute to intergenerational integration, which will also have a positive impact on the situation of people aged 60 and over in Mysłowice.
In addition, the Mysłowice Senior Citizens’ Council notes the need to deinstitutionalise the activities of organisations providing social services (which is in line with the objectives of government programmes) and to strengthen cooperation with external organisations (e.g. non-governmental organisations).
Digitalisation also presents a significant opportunity to improve the quality of life for people aged 60 and over. On the other hand, it poses a risk, and initiatives aimed at people aged 60 and over should include educational services in this area.
Concerns
Members of the Mysłowice Senior Citizens’ Council have also noted negative trends that may affect the situation of people aged 60 and over in the town. These include, amongst other things, a decline in the quality of medical services, reduced access to specialist doctors, and a decrease in the number of places in hospices.
It is also worth noting the legal changes affecting people aged 60 and over, as well as the negative demographic trends in the city, including the emigration of young people and the increasing poverty of the population.
Further information
The coordinator of the Mysłowice Seniors’ Council is Jolanta Szmałańska, tel. 32 31 71 205.