Good network with international bodies

In Germany, as is the case on average across Europe, 80 percent of people in need of care are cared for at home, with the vast majority receiving care exclusively from family caregivers. The European care network Eurocarers sees itself as an advocate for family caregivers—that is, family members, friends, or neighbors who care for their loved ones.

From its headquarters in Brussels, Eurocarers coordinates a network comprising 76 care organizations and research institutions in 26 European countries and advises the European Commission, the European Parliament, and policy stakeholders from the 27 EU member states, most recently in the development of the European Care Strategy.

Prof. Dr. Andreas Hoff, Professor of Social Gerontology at the HSZG and Director of the “Health, Ageing, Technology” (GAT) Research Institute, was elected to the Board of Directors of Eurocarers in 2022. Students of Social Gerontology also benefit from the insights gained through this work, particularly in a seminar on social policy for older adults in Europe.

The discussion of specific issues and recent research findings on optimal care for older adults and their families is at the heart of the part-time Master’s program in Social Gerontology at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. The program begins each year in the summer semester. The next enrollment deadline is February 28, 2023—classes begin after the Easter break.