Impractical planning

Locked in the retirement home

A lift could be added to the outside of the façade to take residents out into the countryside.

(Bild: Evelyn Hronek/EVELYN HRONEK)

Due to the lack of a lift, many residents in the Völkermarkt senior center cannot make it to the home garden!

For many residents of the Völkermarkt senior citizens' center, an ill-conceived plan becomes an insurmountable obstacle! Without helpers or visitors, immobile residents are unable to reach the relaxing garden of the facility, as a lift has only been installed at the entrance area.

Locked in the retirement home: doctor Harald Scheicher, mayor Markus Lakounigg and office manager Simon Marin in front of the home without a lift

(Bild: Evelyn Hronek/EVELYN HRONEK)

"Without an escort, it is not possible for residents to get to the existing green island in the garden," complains family doctor Harald Scheicher. The doctor is therefore campaigning for a lift at the front of the building. "It's inhumane that patients with limited mobility can't get into the garden. Nature is more than important for their mental and physical well-being!" It was also Scheicher who commissioned and financed the planning of the lift extension at the front of the home.

A lift has been requested for years
For many years, there have been calls for a lift to enable the elderly to access the garden from the upper floor without barriers. Up to four wheelchair users could be transported.

Branch manager Simon Marin: "I am also in favor of this qualitative upgrade to our building. We know that it's not ideal at the moment." Völkermarkt's mayor Markus Lakounigg is also present during the visit to the "Krone". "I am grateful for this initiative, which I support. However, the vote on the 140,000 euro project is the responsibility of the social welfare association. Our budget is exhausted." Now even SP state deputy leader Gaby Schaunig is campaigning for the sensible project.