Supported Independent Living: Communal and Intergenerational living in the Netherlands and Denmark

This report by Gita Prasad (co-chair of the Housing LIN Eastern region) is about the needs and aspirations of older people, living in communities, in later life.

Funded by a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship, it takes and in depth comparative analysis of intergenerational, communal and co-housing models in the Netherlands and Denmark. It is particularly pertinent to the United Kingdom, as the challenge to support older people in good quality housing that promotes care, wellbeing and alleviates loneliness., as recognised in the NHS Long Term Plan. This has an implication for housing and accommodation to be better aligned within local care economies, bringing together housing and health and social care commissioning infrastructure.

Drawing on learning gained from the Amsterdam City Government, Humanitas and De Hogeweyk in the Netherlands and from the intergenerational community, Saettedammen, in Denmark, the report examines the critical success factors of each in relation to supported independent living within a communal or intergenerational setting.  With the links between housing and health in mind, it makes a number of helpful recommendations

• Under-occupation of Homes by Older People
• Combatting Loneliness
• Preventing Health Deterioration Among Communities
• Designing Healthier Built Environments, and
• Accessibility and the Mark

And if you found this of interest, check out Gita’s accompanying guest Housing LIN blog.