Vienna has nearly two million residents, with over 400,000 aged 60 and over. A wealth of green space, social housing, an excellent health-care system, extensive social welfare services and its pursuit of innovative and sustainable development characterize Vienna. The city makes every effort not to leave anybody behind – independent of their gender, ethnic background, sexual orientation, financial means, or age.
Senior citizens are an important target group in all areas of life in Vienna, such as housing, mobility, safety, and health. Vienna’s goal is to enable older people to live a self-determined life and strengthen senior citizens’ participation.
Numerous measures show Vienna’s commitment to creating an age-friendly environment: a densely-woven network of nursing and care services, comprehensive recreational activities, affordable housing, support and social benefits, low-threshold information, a well-developed, accessible public transport network and many more.
With its own Senior Citizens’ Advocate, the city of Vienna shows particular attention to the older generation. In her capacity as the city’s Senior Citizens’ Advocate, Sabine Hofer-Gruber looks after the target group’s needs and requirements and ensures the further development of Vienna as a liveable city for the older generation.
Together with her team “Vienna for Seniors”, the City of Vienna’s Senior Citizens‘ Advocate initiates and coordinates projects and events and closely cooperates with district chairpersons, municipal departments, organisations and all district senior citizens‘ Advisor to specifically address the needs of Vienna’s senior citizens.
“Vienna for Seniors” coordinates the further development of the “Dementia-Friendly Vienna” platform and the operationalisation of Vienna’s dementia strategy, and is responsible for the strategic development of the City of Vienna’s elderly home visiting service. In addition, the team organises the Senior Citizens Month, a series of events for older people which is held every year in October.