Migration and integration strengthen elder care in Saxony-Anhalt—that is the goal of the MIASA project at Magdeburg University of Applied Sciences. How can foreign nursing professionals help meet staffing needs, and how can they be successfully integrated in the long term? This question is not only on the minds of Mr. Biere and Mr. Stein from MIASA; local companies in the care sector are also constantly grappling with this issue. For this reason, MIASA organizes local professional events for companies, with the first one taking place on March 11, 2026, in the Burgenlandkreis district. Under the title “Elder Care Between Castle Walls and Vineyards,” the MIASA team—supported by Anja Reißmann from the WelcomeCenter Saxony-Anhalt and other local stakeholders— —drew 40 participants to Naumburg, including companies in the long-term care sector as well as representatives from relevant support and advisory organizations.
The companies were able to gather information through keynote presentations and at thematic discussion tables. In attendance were not only the advisory team from the IQ Network for the Recognition of Foreign Professional Qualifications in Healthcare, but also representatives from the Office for Foreigners, the Employment Agency, and the NETZWERK “Unternehmen integrieren Flüchtlinge” (Businesses Integrate Refugees).
On behalf of the state initiative “Fachkraft im Fokus,” Anja Reißmann from the WelcomeCenter Saxony-Anhalt and Peter Breier from the management consulting firm were on hand to offer their expertise to the companies. The questions at their table centered on key topics that the two consultants frequently address:
- How can immigrant skilled workers connect with their new community and begin to feel at home?
- What financial support options are available for employees who need further training?
- And what can companies do to help international skilled workers settle into the team?
Median Klinik from Bad Kösen presented a welcome packet for international skilled workers that it developed in-house, which offers valuable information about starting a new life in Germany—such as finding housing, doctors’ offices, government office hours, taxes, and insurance, as well as transportation and childcare.
The companies left the event with fruitful discussions, new ideas, and a wealth of information on local support structures.
