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In Germany, retirees have found a novel way to avoid being alone
Germany’s population is Europe’s oldest, second only to Japan globally. Today’s seniors are living vastly different lives than the previous generations. They are more likely to be on their own, live longer after retirement, and spend those years in better shape.
2016
The experiments providing homes around the world
While housing is a national crisis, the most pressing concerns differ from area to area. The lack of affordable homes being built every year is a huge issue. The current crisis isn’t just about a lack of political will to invest in social housing.
2016
Dementia Care: What in the World is a Dementia Village?
This article looks at an international senior care community which is revolutionizing dementia care through dementia villages. In the municipality of Weesp, not far from Amsterdam, sits the village of Hogewey.
Hogewey is home to 152 men and women living with severe dementia. The community has 23 residential units, each shared by 6-8 residents.
2016
Home sweet home? The gap between housing supply and demand for an ageing population
Recent UK research has highlighted the very real crisis in housing. The dearth of available, affordable housing reflects a decline in investment from both the private and public sector.
2016
Youths living with the elderly – a Finnish example
The project aims to prevent homelessness in young people by helping them with secure and affordable housing, while at the same time increasing social interactions of the senior residents. The co-housing arrangement is modelled after a Dutch example where students live in a nursing home and spend time socialising with the residents.
2016
Themes:
Agile housing for an Ageing Australia
By 2055, Australia’s 65+ population will have doubled and, if current strategies are followed, it is likely that the housing available will be inappropriate. Today’s housing stock will still be in use yet few developers and designers are capitalising on the potential of agile housing and, more broadly, the creation of age-friendly neighbourhoods.
2016
Forget "downsizing", think "rightsizing" to meet older people's housing needs and aspirations
In the UK, many older people live in homes that are probably too big for their needs and budgets. If they were encouraged to downsize, and also given the choice of housing that would make downsizing appealing, they might well be persuaded to sell their home to a family who actually needs that sort of space.
2016
A Home for Life? A Critical Perspective on Housing Choice for “Downsizers” in the UK
A range of policy, research and media commentary has highlighted the link between housing, health, and wellbeing in later life, with discourses around “ageing in place” and “downsizing” emerging as particularly dominant.
This paper critiques current practices and discourses around the
commissioning, design, and management of purpose-built retirement housing.
2016
Themes:
Is Housing of Importance to Mental Health?
Poor housing quality is often associated with poor physical health such as respiratory illness from dampness, but the impact of housing on mental health should not be underestimated. Under the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, housing would fall under the bottom 2 tiers as in Figure 1, as a place to fulfil basic needs of warmth, rest, security and safety.
2016
Themes:
Building Affordable Elderly Housing: How New Zealand’s planning system influences market outcomes
This paper explores the changing demographics of New Zealand’s elderly, the influence of the current planning system, and how planning has hindered the market’s ability to provide affordable elderly housing in areas of highest demand.
2016
"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort."