Hannover's 'Gesundheit und Gemeinschaft auf Rezept' Tackles Senior Isolation

Loneliness, especially after the loss of loved ones and reduced mobility, significantly threatens the health and well-being of seniors. To address this, Hannover launched the 'Gesundheit und Gemeinschaft auf Rezept' project in autumn 2025, aiming to combat social isolation among the elderly.

Through this initiative, general practitioners in Hannover can prescribe a 'Soziales Rezept' (social prescription), which connects seniors with social services offering district-specific consultations. These consultations provide personalized advice and link seniors to various community activities such as exercise groups, games, coffee meetings, and excursions. The goal is to enhance seniors' community involvement, well-being, and independent living.

The project is a collaborative effort involving the city of Hannover, the Niedersachsen Association of General Practitioners, the Senior Citizens' Advisory Board, and the Senior Work Network and District Alliances (VSQ). Importantly, seniors can also participate in consultations without needing a doctor's prescription if they prefer.

This initiative responds directly to the severe challenges posed by loneliness in older adults, providing structured support to prevent health decline associated with social isolation. Detailed contact information and consultation hours for various district offices are available for interested seniors. This program complements other mental health support efforts in Germany, reflecting an increasing focus on community health and social integration for vulnerable populations.