Barrier -free living: This is how you stay self -determined in old age!

Barrier -free living: This is how you stay self -determined in old age!

Walle, Deutschland - In Bremen, the topic of "age -appropriate living" is becoming increasingly important because our society is changing rapidly. Demographic change not only brings an increasing number of older people, but also calls for a rethink in living space design. By 2030 in Germany with an increase in the population from the age of 65 to around 24 million, as the “Wohnen 65plus” study by the Hanover Pestel Institute shows. This means that you have to be tackled now to improve the living situation for seniors. Spot Bremen reports that age-appropriate living aims to adapt the living conditions to the needs of age at an early stage.

Susanne Beck, a freelance residential consultant in Bremen, believes that accessibility not only begins in the bathroom. It is often the house entrance, steps or tight corridors that can endanger self -determined life in old age. It is all the more important that living spaces are designed in such a way that they enable life without restrictions even in health changes. Typical conversions, such as the exchange of bathtubs with the same flooring, are just a start. Beck, who with the Kom.Forfe association. V. works together, offers individual advice on site, because every living situation is unique.

challenges and opportunities

Demographic change also shows its effects in other areas. The current construction practice often ignores the requirements for accessibility. Only about 5 % of 11 million households in Germany live in largely barrier apartments. In order to meet the increasing demand and to invest around 50 billion euros for age -appropriate conversions by 2030, both private and public housing associations must rethink. barrier-free for everyone emphasizes that 500 million euros in funding are needed to overcome these challenges.

In the long term, barrier -free construction is not only a social necessity, but can also be more cost -effective. The follow -up costs of non -barrier -free apartments are often higher because the needs of older people are becoming increasingly diverse. With her free initial talk, Beck offers first support for people who want to adapt their living situation. The search for alternative residential solutions and parades is also supported - an important help in times of a changing residential market.

Financial support for conversions

tenants can make adjustments under certain conditions, for example if they have a level of care and can obtain the landlord's consent. There are also various ways to provide financial support for conversions, even in retirement age. barrier-free property points out that the integration of accessibility into the planning process is essential to enable future generations to live.

In view of the concise increase in the older population, it is necessary to break through old thinking patterns. The permanent adaptation of the living situation not only becomes the question of living space, but also influences all areas of life, including the economy and the labor market. All the more, innovative ideas and partnerships between construction societies, the public sector and the now highly demanded social infrastructure are needed. This is the only way to successfully counter the challenge of demographic change.