HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO LIVE AT 50... 60... 70... YEARS OLD?

Loneliness in the elderly is a serious problem in our country. According to data from the National Statistics Institute (INE), in 2018 Spain exceeded two million people over the age of 65 living alone in Spain. Of these, more than 850,000 are aged 80 or over. Moreover, 2020 closed with 100,000 more people living alone than in 2019, almost half of whom are aged 65 or over.  By 2035, the forecast is that the trend will continue to rise, so that in 15 years' time, one in three households will be single-person households.

These staggering figures show that this problem is growing, and the solutions are less and less suited to our idea of living in old age.

Societies are changing faster and faster, and with it, the needs of the population. We come from a society where caring for the elderly was seen as an obligation for children, but today this has changed. We want to live independently, but we should not confuse "chosen" loneliness with "unwanted" loneliness.

According to the International Centre on Ageing, loneliness in the elderly is associated with lack of self-esteem, distress, anxiety, and depression. It can also lead to physical pain, diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer's, premature death, and sometimes increases the likelihood of dying from heart attacks and strokes...

In old age we want to live with independence and autonomy, something that does not imply loneliness, provided it is managed correctly... 

This problem has led various architectural studios around the world, especially in northern Europe, to set to work to develop innovative projects that can provide the best solution to the loneliness that people feel when they reach old age. In this way, the concept of "cohousing" spread: a collaborative housing model characterised by a group of people coming together to design their own customised homes. One of the most famous and current projects is "The Future Sølund", Denmark's largest and most innovative retirement home, among many other projects.

This cohousing project consists of the construction of a multigenerational housing space where its neighbours, young and old, will find all the necessary services such as nursery, hairdresser, micro-shops, as well as cafés, library, workshops and a multitude of green spaces and public and private car parks. A place where the elderly find all the necessities and care within their reach without having to give up leisure and social relations.

Our architectural studio Hoffmann Wehr has been studying for a long time how to carry out a project of this calibre, with great enthusiasm to adapt spaces for those who need them, guaranteeing to cover all the needs of the elderly and to be able to help reduce this serious problem with innovative solutions that are adapted to the present day. Thanks to this concern, we created in 2011 Habitat 50 PLUS.

Habitat 50 PLUS is a consulting and planning studio for the use of the 50 plus economic factor and the realisation of projects for the 50 plus generation.

For more than ten years, our task has been to advise our clients efficiently and professionally on the basis of their needs and to provide them with tailor-made solutions. Our know-how and our experience, with continuous training and research, ensure that we are constantly adapting to the new requirements of our customers. 

Within these housing solutions for the elderly, we offer different options, including cohousing, assisted living, sheltered housing, living units, serviced flats and the adaptation of existing private homes. Our concepts consider these housing alternatives in combination with a commercial space for activities related to the 50+ group to be developed.

One of our projects to highlight is the residence for dependent elderly people in Jávea, Costa Blanca. It consists of the development of an innovative concept of residences for the elderly with a built area of 8,400 m² + 2,400 m² of garage equipped with environments and interior design according to specific and individualised requirements to make the elderly feel "at home".

The aim is to live at an advanced age with autonomy and security, and to continue living like at home, since leisure and social relations are something that the human being desires at any age.

Leisure time has an important impact on people's quality of life and well-being, which has a direct influence on happiness. Social relationships are closely related to leisure. More frequent social interaction improves health and prevents illness. Having people to rely on in the event of a personal or health problem is an important point of reference from the point of view of well-being, especially among the elderly.

Therefore, our work as a team of Habitat 50 plus includes, apart from the development of the project and the interior design, commercial presentations in front of target groups of clients in their language, adaptations of the private spaces to the specific requirements of the clients and negotiations with the corresponding regional authorities of the community.

Everything necessary to achieve significant progress in housing for the elderly and to guarantee a good and long life for our senior citizens.

If you are interested in any of the services we offer or you are interested in finding out more about the concept of cohousing or our projects related to assisted living, sheltered housing, co-housing units, serviced flats or the adaptation of your detached house or flat to your new requirements, you can find more information on our website https://habitat50plus.com/site/.

We would also be happy to listen to your personal situation and needs to find the best solution for you, in the easiest and most comfortable way.

We look forward to helping you with your project!