“Everybody Wants to Reach a High Age, But No One Wants to be Old” – Adapting the Existing Housing Stock
Dutch cities, as well as many other cities throughout Europe, will need to deal with severe demographic changes. In the Dutch province of Gelderland, 5 pilot projects have been implemented with the aim of enabling elder people to retain an independent living situation as long as possible. As shrinking is accompanying the expected demographic changes, building new homes is not an option: the focus is on the adaptation of the existing housing stock.
Description
Through a specific stimulus package, the province of Gelderland
is promoting the ‘opplussen’, or to expand the possibilities, of
the homes of persons of 55 and above. The programme started in
2008, and is currently still being implemented. Homes can be made
more comfortable and safe for elderly people by practical and
relatively simple adjustments: removing thresholds, elevating the
toilet seat or replacing low cupboards with drawers. Sometimes more
complex, technical adaptation need to be made: for instance motion
sensors or central switches (domotica).
The pilots are not about enforcing a complete, standard package,
but invite elder people to consider the possibilities and to
install those options that meet their specific needs. Five cities
participate in the pilot programme: Lochem, Bronckhorst, Elburg,
Heumen and Duiven/Westervoort.
Approach
Each city had its own specific approach to improving the local
housing stock for elderly inhabitants. In Lochem and
Duiven/Westervoort, for instance, 55, 65 and 75+ citizens could opt
for a scan of their house, and decide on the basis of this
information on the improvements they would like to install in their
homes. The municipalities co-financed these adaptations. In
Bronckhorst the housing stock was classified according to a 1 to 4
star system, based on the cost-effectiveness of adapting the home
for elderly inhabitants. In Elburg, age specific communication
plans (55/65 and 75+) were developed, in order to sensitise elderly
citizens to the comfort and safety relatively simple measures (such
as a grip near the toilet) can bring. In Heumen a similar project
was carried out.
Results
In all cases, the result was that elderly people grew more aware
of the options they have for retaining a safe and comfortable
independent living situation. In a considerable amount of existing
housing adaptations have been realised.
The projects also resulted in several good practices, which can
help to shape future projects for adapting the existing housing
stock for elderly people, for instance:
- Focus on the people, not the residence;
- Reserve sufficient time and means for implementing the project;
- Establish broad partnerships, including elderly associations, the municipality, housing corporations, etc.;
- Become genuine partners, sharing a common goal;
- Develop a long-term strategy (10-20 years);
- Communicate in a clear manner, and be enthousiastic.
Publication Date
March 2010
Document Type
Practice Document
Contact
More information can be obtained by visiting this website or
by contacting Team Stedelijke Ontwikkeling of the province of
Gelderland in the Netherlands:
T 0031 26 359 98 51
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