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Description
Private housing targeted at the elderly is at a very early stage of development in Poland. The majority (3/4) of Polish seniors live in their own households. Statistics show that two thirds of seniors would like to live independently and occasionally use the assistance of their relatives, friends and neighbours. One of their key everyday problems is the conflict between their need for independence and the need for feeling safe. The housing conditions determine to a considerable extent seniors’ life quality as the time spent at home is increasing with age to 21-24 hours per day. Most of apartments and houses currently used by the present and future seniors are not adjusted to the needs of the elderly, so the project aims to address that problem.
The objective of the project is to introduce a new Independent Living (IL) service through the construction of a senior housing facility comprising 43 senior apartments. The IL service shall be provided through technological solutions that support daily lives of the elderly and improve their safety and quality of life, including implementation of an intelligent system of automatic monitoring of health and safety of the elderly, monitoring threats and an intelligent system of controlling light and heating. An innovative Norwegian „KOMP” technology that enables simple, remote communication of the elderly with younger generations and prevents their loneliness and seclusion from social life will be provided by the project partner, NO ISOLATION AS.
The project involves construction and equipment works of the IL senior facility, branding and legal preparations, development and implementation of IL technological solutions, and purchase of equipment for the facility coordinator.
Summary of project results
The project implemented by MSCG Sp. z o.o. was designed as a response to key challenges associated with an aging society. In Poland, 26% of the population is already over the age of 60, and this number is expected to rise to 40% by 2050.
Nearly half of Polish seniors suffer from loneliness, which leads to health issues such as depression, dementia, and heart diseases. This makes loneliness, social isolation and lack of social support the growing issues that need to be solved. Elderly people need social interactions and activities to maintain their physical and mental health.
Moreover, there are also economic and financial challenges related to old age like inadequate housing and high living costs. The majority of Polish seniors live in their own households. Statistics show that most of seniors would like to live independently and occasionally use the assistance of their relatives, friends, and neighbours. One of their key everyday problems is the conflict between their need for independence and the need for feeling safe. Seniors often live in unsuitable apartments, such as those in older buildings without elevators, which limits their mobility and independence. Many of them face increasing costs of utilities and maintaining large and often poorly adapted homes.
The Villa Zakątek (https://villazakatek.pl/) which was designed within the project is a pioneering senior housing facility based on the Independent Living concept, offering 43 modern apartments designed for the elderly.
The aim of this project was not limited to building apartments, but also to create a space meeting needs of its residents where healthy lifestyle inspired by the “blue zone” concept could be implemented and promoted. Beside private flats there were created shared community spaces area for interactions or collective activities among residents such as fitness rooms, workshops, a café, shared kitchen and a dining room.
This approach allowed for encouraging social life in the facility of villa like organization of regular activities such as yoga or exercise classes, and themed evenings promoting mental and physical well-being. Due to that the project integrates elements of healthy diets, physical activity, and building strong social connections.
One of the most important elements of this project was usage of senior-supportive technologies. The following solutions were implemented as a part of the project and are used on an ongoing basis: smart management systems, health-monitoring wristbands, emergency buttons, and the KOMP system for easy, remote communication with family, friends, caregivers, and staff which is a technology preventing loneliness and seclusion from social life.
The project was implemented in the partnership with Norwegian company – NO Isolation AS (https://www.noisolation.com/no) which provided the mentioned - above KOMP system adapted to the Polish market.
The implementation of the project brought mutual economic and social benefits for various groups of stakeholders - direct and indirect beneficiaries (3 Prezentacja Ewelina Jocek Villa Zakątek.pdf).
The project promoter developed an innovative economic activity, and thanks to the partnership with Norwegian partner implemented solution new on the Polish market and gained experience in an international cooperation. The project partner had an opportunity to open to foreign market for his product and technology.
The new facility - Villa Zakątek has also an important social significance due to redefining senior living in Poland by creating an environment that fosters health, independence, social integration and encouraging active aging. It is an innovative model of modern senior living promoting vibrant and fulfilling retirement lifestyle with the potential to serve as an example for future initiatives in this field.
Nevertheless, the most important achievements of the project were positive results for elderly people and their families. Senior residents living in villa improved quality of their lives through daily physical, social, and intellectual activities. They benefited also from enhanced safety and comfort using modern technologies such as emergency buttons and health-monitoring wristbands linked to medical response centers. Their sense of security and personal empowerment have been increased by regular social interactions, relationships within the community and volunteering. In a short time, they have experienced noticeable improvements in mobility, physical fitness, and overall well-being.
The families of senior residents have peace of mind knowing their loved ones are in a safe, and supportive environment. They benefit also from financial savings due to shared services and resources in the cohousing environment, such as joint subscriptions, group purchases, or car sharing. They can focus on meaningful relationships with their elderly relatives and enjoy convenient communication with seniors via the KOMP system. The senior-supportive technologies enable them the remote control of medical condition of their senior relatives, as well as geolocation through health-monitoring wristbands.
It is expected that further implementation of such solutions could be beneficial also for local governments and communities due to increased senior engagement in activities such as volunteering and reduced medical and social care costs caused by illnesses arising from isolation, such as depression, dementia, and cardiovascular diseases.
Summary of bilateral results
Cooperation with the Norwegian partner contributed to: 1. To learn about and implement the new Norwegian KOMP technology on the Polish market. 2. Adaptation of the Norwegian partner No Isolation''s KOMP product to the Polish market and thus open a new market and export channel for the Norwegian partner - the partner''s participation in our project has made it possible to cooperate with the beneficiary with a view to developing a Polish version of the KOMP device and implementing it on the Polish market, where the Norwegian partner has so far been absent3. Popularization of Norwegian technology on the Polish market 4. Experience in international cooperation 5. Establishing long-term cooperation regarding the development and sale of a Norwegian product on the Polish market