Debrecen4U August 1, 2025

Caring City – Home Assistance in Debrecen

Debrecen, in cooperation with the Civis Social Catering Center, will expand its existing public and social kitchen services starting August 1 to include free home assistance.

The aim of the initiative is to provide comprehensive support to elderly, ill, or disadvantaged residents of Debrecen who are limited in their ability to care for themselves and find it difficult to leave their homes.

The public kitchen provides hot meals to 7,500 residents on weekdays at 42 locations, while the social kitchen serves 2,000 people daily. In addition, starting August 1, 2025, the newly launched home assistance service, offered in cooperation with the Civis Social Catering Center, will provide free assistance with shopping, cleaning, picking up prescriptions, and personal care, thereby complementing the city’s public and social meal services.

Deputy Mayor Diána Széles emphasized that, in addition to daily hot meals, home assistance will be provided free of charge. She stated: “This program is part of the city’s care policy,” she said, adding that with this service expansion, they are taking another step forward. In addition to state funding, the local government also contributes as a cooperating partner, offering additional services that make people feel that life is better in Debrecen.

Éva Aburdán Szűcsné, professional director of the Civis Social Catering Center, explained the practical aspects of the service. “Our target group primarily includes the elderly, pensioners, and those disabled retirees who are already limited in their ability to care for themselves. A qualified caregiver will visit them daily at a pre-arranged time to assess their needs, including assistance with shopping, picking up medication, laundry, dishwashing, or even escorting them to the doctor. This service contributes to dignified aging and helps prevent loneliness,” she explained.

Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu