Laura Raths turns the key in the lock and opens the door. What emerges are freshly painted white walls and a wooden floor in a warm brown-grey. The young woman is beaming: She is going to move into this flat. She is one of the first residents of the Integrative Multigenerational Neighbourhood (IMQ) in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler. Bethel has bought eleven flats in the building to rent out to people with cognitive impairments and acquired brain damage.
The concept is called "Living and Assistance". It is aimed at adults who require intensive support but still want to live independently in their own home. Bethel.regional offers tenants the security of round-the-clock care and assistance with their lifestyle and social participation. "For example, we help people with shopping, preparing meals and doing what they like to do in their free time," explains area manager Doris Hein. "We tailor our work to the tenants' personal needs and wishes."