60+ Comfort Living

The “60+ comfort living” concept is a variation of the concept of assisted living (in according European standards, the term “sheltered housing” is applied). It was first developed and introduced within the preceding study on Assisted Living for Senior Citizens in Vienna (IIBW 2020).

This study assess the concept in further detail with a focus on implementation. 

Main Results

Housing and care options for “young” seniors
Vienna has good housing and care facilities for “old” seniors (80+). In contrast, there are only limited offers available for the growing demand by seniors immediately after retirement (60/65 to 80). This gap can be closed with the “60+ comfort living” concept, developed with funds of Vienna’s housing research. It is a variation of the concept of assisted living (in according European standards, the term “sheltered housing” is applied).

Who are the “young” seniors?
It's about people after retirement and during the following, largely healthy, years of life, i.e., for most up to their early 80s. This "third" stage of life differs significantly from the "fourth" stage of very old age. "Young" seniors have an income that is well above that of the very old, the need for care is still low, they are physically and mentally mobile with a strong focus on leisure time and are also easily ap-proachable in terms of housing options. For people in their "fourth" stage of life, on the other hand, it is mostly relatives or social workers who initiate a change in housing arrangements for them.

Target group of “60+ comfort living”
The target groups of the model are the following: senior single households, but also couple house-holds, in previously not barrier-free apartments; people who are burdened by high housing costs due to reduced income; people in retirement who are threatened by loneliness and social isolation; “young” seniors with forward-looking life plans; groups of friends or relatives who would like to move in together in an arrangement similar to “flat-sharing” without having to give up their individual apartment; and finally older relatives who would like to move to a new neighborhood in tandem with children and grandchildren.

Potentials
Thanks to the baby boomer generation, the number of “60 to 80 year olds” in Vienna is growing signif-icantly. While in other regions most seniors live in their own homes or with relatives, in Vienna they live (about 25% for each) in municipal apartments, private rental and limited-profit rental apartments. A very large proportion of these apartments have barriers, either on the way to the apartment (no eleva-tor, elevator on the mezzanine floor, steps at the entrance, passageways that are too narrow, doors that are difficult to use), or within the apartments (turning circles, door widths, thresholds, etc.). It is estimated that around 60% of the 270,000 elder households in Vienna live in apartments with barriers, of which at least 50,000 live in municipal apartments. A senior-friendly (building) renovation or a move to a suitable apartment is necessary for securing high life quality and the participation in social life. In fact, a significant number of “young” seniors change their homes, estimated at almost 5,000 per year. With adding to available options, this potential could be further expanded. This reasoning led to the proposal to realize around 500 "60+ comfort apartments" per year in a start-up phase and, if success-ful, to increase this to approx. 1,000 per year later.

Starting with the SMART housing program
The proposed model is surprisingly easy to implement. With the SMART housing program, which has been successful for years, a perfect starting point is available. Due to building regulations, newly built apartments must be barrier-free. Due to the legal subsidy requirements, SMART apartments are very affordable.

From SMART apartments to “60+ comfort apartments”
With only minor adjustments, the smaller type A and B apartments (up to 40 or 55m²) become "60+ comfort apartments": floor-level shower, wall reinforcements (for the installation of handles), barrier-free access to the terrace, electronic door lock. Concerning the building design, special emphasis should be placed on safety and livability. Common rooms and open spaces are to be designed to be inclusive. In addition, small rooms for care are necessary. Nothing more is needed. Following the ex-ample of assisted living in the Austrian province of Vorarlberg, all suitable apartments in a new building project should meet the specifications presented here. However, these units only become "senior citizens' apartments" in the sense of tenancy law through the specific social service, a “basic care package” that is aimed at the needs of the target group. "Young" seniors should be given prefer-ence in the allocation process. Should their demand rise or fall in the future, the apartments can be given to "normal" tenants without any necessary changes, and then to seniors again with the next allocation.

What does social support include?
The social service for "60+ comfort living" is based on the "basic care package" of assisted living, as defined in existing standards (ÖNORM). In contrast to these, however, the focus is not on nursing but on social services. The goals are long-term social integration in the buildings, avoiding loneliness, ensuring quality of life, the longest possible (social) mobility and participation in (semi-)public life. The service provider will be on site 2-3 half days per week. They offer low-key community activities, and the residents are encouraged to participate. They will help with the founding of clubs, the use of the common rooms and “community gardening”, mediating conflicts, organizing small events or excur-sions, etc. On an individual level, door-to-door care is provided at least every two weeks. They check on the residents and make sure everything is ok. They help with individual problems, contacts with the authorities, give advice on senior-friendly adjustments inside the apartment, help in crisis situations, for example after returning from a hospital stay, arrange (separately charged) health and care services as well as technical services. In addition, the service provider can be reached by telephone 40 hours a week. If necessary, an emergency call system will be made available. The additional use of social ser-vices via the case management of the Vienna Social Fund (FSW) is unaffected by this care package.

3 pilot projects
For the implementation of "60+ comfort living" three case studies were examined. Wiener Wohnen is considering an implementation of the model in a “NEW municipal building” by means of a general rental agreement with a social service provider. Sozialbau AG is considering implementing a “60+ comfort living” model for all its older tenants and is promising a participation in costs. ÖSW intends to implement the concept as part of the "Meischlgasse" developers’ competition.

Benefits for all parties
"60+ comfort living" generates benefits for Vienna's older population, the public sector, property devel-opers and social service providers. As a kind of community service, it contributes to socially integrative neighborhoods. For the target group, the offer means an exceptionally affordable and high-quality apartment with the prospect of high life-quality in a community right to the end. For the public sector, it is a particularly favorable way of ensuring a high quality of living and care for our elder fellow citizens, which will significantly relieve the social budget elsewhere. For developers, it's not just about innova-tion. The concept contributes to housing satisfaction and a low rate of vacancies and tenant change. The care provider on site is a kind of outpost for the property management. The tiresome problem of common rooms that are not used can be eliminated. A target group that has so far received little atten-tion is entering the scope of social service providers. The concept puts great focus on the cost-effectiveness of the service package.