Living with comfort & lifestyle
Today, we can design our lives in a way that allows us to live in our homes for as long as possible. With the help of barrier-free concepts, controlling the environment or with alarm functions that support us when we need help.
Assisted living is lifestyle and comfort: this refers to concepts that make it possible to design living space in such a way that people can largely manage their everyday lives without outside help. This is important for older people and people with impairments – for example after accidents – and disabilities so that they can live independently and safely within their own four walls for as long as possible. Self-determination and independence are essential for our quality of life.
In the meantime, however, it is also necessary to think about this: Due to the shortage of skilled workers in nursing and medicine, the care of the future will take place at home.
Assisted Living is the future
We are addressing a very rarely discussed topic – but we are convinced that we need to have this discussion. After all, the proportion of senior citizens in the population is growing: the baby boomer generation will retire by 2034. In its care report for Germany, the Bertelsmann Foundation analyzed that the number of people in need of care will increase by 50 percent by 2030, while the number of care professionals will decrease at the same time. One of the reasons: The nursing professionals themselves are retiring.
According to forecasts, the number of people in need of care in Germany could rise from the current 2.5 million to 3.5 million by 2030. Depending on the calculation, there will be a shortage of around 152,000 carers by 2025; by 2034, the gap could grow to 350,000 carers (source: Federal Statistical Office). In Austria, too, there were around 1.86 million people aged 65 and over at the beginning of 2025. The Federal Ministry of Social Affairs estimates that around 75,000 additional carers will be needed by 2030 in order to provide care.
Due to medical progress, life expectancy is rising steadily and so is the number of people who need care. At the same time, we are already experiencing a massive shortage of skilled nursing staff. And even if we had enough staff, the lack of money is hitting us hard. Conclusion: care is increasingly taking place within the family. The financial and organizational burdens in lay care are increasing.
The care crisis is here – and now?
Countries such as Denmark and Sweden have already reacted to the shortage of skilled workers and have been implementing smart helpers and assistance technologies (“welfare technology”) in the healthcare system as well as in the private sphere for years. The reasons: To enable people to live in their own homes for as long as possible and to support family members and staff left in care.
>> What do we want? We want to focus on solutions, on lifestyle and comfort. Support potentials and people instead of persisting in stigmatization.
The technologies have changed massively over the years: They have become cheaper and less complex to implement.<<
On this platform, we will not only present solutions, but also discuss how you can make your home fit for the future. And where can I find these companies?
If you have any questions, feedback or requests regarding our coverage, please feel free to contact me at anja@sbc.co.at.
Sincerely,
Mag. (FH) Anja Herberth
Editor
Image source contribution image/head: Shutterstock
