Senior cohousing at Villa Zakątek

Aging population is one of the main challenges faced by European cities, including Polish ones. The share of elderly people in the population of Poland is systematically growing.

At the end of 2018, people aged 60 and more constituted about 25% of the total population in Poland. Poles aged 60–64 dominated in the structure of the elderly.

Already in 2030 – 53.3% of one-person households will be run by people aged 65+. In 2050, Poland will be one of the European countries with the most advanced population aging process.

So the question is, what problems the majority of our society will face in the next years?

Loneliness — the biggest problem

Research by psychologist John Cacioppo, a professor at the University of Chicago specializing in loneliness and its effects on people, indicates that loneliness is one of the major problems facing older people. The research carried out by the professor shows that the impact of loneliness on our health is similar to living in poverty. While bad socioeconomic conditions increase by 19 percent risk of premature death after the age of 50, loneliness may increase the risk of premature death by 14% in the elderly. Loneliness in adulthood has dramatic consequences. Along with the feeling of isolation, sleep worsens, blood pressure increases, the level of cortisol (the stress hormone) increases, the expression of genes related to the immune system is disturbed, well-being decreases and the risk of depression increases. Without social stimulation, cognitive functions, such as thinking, association, analysis and memory, also deteriorate. Mental health problems are more common in societies where vulnerable people are left on their own, according to a report by The Lonley Society published by The Mental Health Foundation. Loneliness causes anger, sadness, depression, worthlessness, emptiness, and pessimism.

Cohousing as a global trend

The residential cohousing model is popular especially in Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, and overseas in the USA and Canada. This is a completely new trend in Poland.

On the one hand, this model satisfies the need for an independent, private life in an apartment adjusted to the needs and budget of a senior citizen, and on the other hand, it meets social needs and prevents exclusion and loneliness. Many modern seniors feel the need to live not with their family, but with their peers on their own terms.

Many scientific studies prove that cohousing is a better solution than traditional forms of living – it promotes integration, which affects a better, healthier and happier life.

Cohousing — for whom?

Senior cohousing will be perfect solution for people who do not want to live alone, in a Social Welfare Home or with a sense of burden for children. The offer is addressed to people over 50-55 who have already raised children or did not have them, as an alternative to living alone or in a retirement home.

Seniors focusing mainly on an active, independent lifestyle that allows them, on the one hand, to pursue their interests and passions, and, on the other hand, to care for physical and mental health.

Living in a community

I call this model “private life plus”.
We do everything separately, but community is
designed that if we want, we can
also work together. And so, for example, each of us
rather, cooks himself at home, although it happens to us to
hang out for neighborhood dinners, because we have a common
dining room.

— Jan (88, senior cohousing Het Kwarteel, The Netherlands) quoted from Gazeta Wyborcza, Cohousing. “I have 20 years left and I want it to be a sweet time.” Ada Petriczko, Aleksandra Zbroja on November 2, 2020

In addition to common spaces conducive to integration, living in the community is also more economical. Many things can be bought together or shared, such as a computer, car, sewing machine and newspaper subscriptions. Joint grocery shopping or purchasing services are also cheaper and more accessible to cohousing members.

Villa Zakątek will feature a common integration and workshop room, a large kitchen with a dining room, a fitness room, a laundry and a drying room. There is a rehabilitation room and a café on the ground floor of the building. Seniors will also be able to take advantage of the concierge services, nurse care or full board services. Residents will help to run café, where, in addition to delicious coffee, hot tea and home-made cakes, you will be able to participate in themed evenings, such as bingo or poetry evening.

Villa Zakątek is a modern facility in which innovative and ecological technologies are implemented, such as photovoltaic panels, energy-saving windows and intelligent systems for monitoring health and safety of seniors.

Autumn of life at Villa Zakątek

When creating Villa Zakątek, we believe that the autumn of life does not have to be depressing, associated with loneliness and exclusion. Villa Zakątek will provide a friendly place to live, nursing care, recreational and integration places, meals tailored to the needs of seniors, support in shopping and dealing with everyday matters, cleaning services – all at the green Piastowskie District in Lublin, which is friendly to seniors.

At Villa Zakątek, we provide seniors with a sense of security and satisfaction. The comfort of the elderly is our priority.