Urban co-housing for the over 65s arrives in Turin: a structure with 40 apartments designed to encourage socialization and well-being that extends life

Italy is not a country for young people, but not even for those who are no longer young. Today the «old», according to traditional iconography, practically no longer exist, while one in 3 Italians is a over 65 active and independent.

Yet 25% of this still autonomous and independent population enters RSAs because they simply do not have the possibility of choosing a place to live and for these people, retirement homes are neither an acceptable nor a dignified response. And there’s more: because a problem that is becoming increasingly serious, especially in urban centres, is social loneliness. After 60, many people are increasingly lonely and it is well known – as well as confirmed by studies – that loneliness causes depressive, neurological (such as Parkinson’s and senile dementia) and cardiovascular disorders.

A formula against loneliness, typical of our time

To stem this form of suffering typical of our time, the projects of co-housingthat is, housing projects where houses, homes or private apartments share common spaces designed for socializing activities (such as reading, listening to music, moments of play). The person, therefore, despite having his own privacy, lives in a community of co-housers, within a social network in which he is never alone.

Born in the 60s for transversal age groups (families with small children, young couples looking for an alternative life model), this housing format experienced a real boom in the 70s, so much so that the idea was exported in the United States and Australia. in Italy there are around thirty co-housing and, among these, the project aimed at is particularly interesting seniors over 65made by Specht Group Italy, whose parent company is located in Bremen, Germany.

«We chose a building (owned by Royal Mutual) in a lively area of ​​the city centre, so that our condominiums feel immersed in the city”, explains CEO Luca Landini. «In the building we have created around 40 apartments, a room for chamber music, a mini library, a bistro with lounge, a gym for physical activities (yoga, muscle toning or gentle gymnastics)». Furthermore, Landini points out «all the spaces are without architectural barrierseven inside the apartments, and the calendar of activities is thought out turnkey by our staffwith regularly organized gatherings that will not only take place inside the structure but which will also open up to the city with visits to exhibitions and museums, cooking courses, dinners at city restaurants to learn about typical products”.

Focus on aging and longevity as active aging

In a co-housing structure the person who is still independent can continue to be so and, indeed, improve your quality of life. «We focus on quality of longevity and ageing”, explains Landini. «We also give the security of a24 hour medical assistance and the possibility of video consultations both with general practitioners (for recipes and prescriptions), both with specialists».

But what does all this cost?

Although the prices are not exactly within everyone’s reach (they start from 2,500 euros per month for a fully furnished and renovated two- or three-room apartment with a package of services included), the demand for this housing model is there, especially among female customers , perhaps because they are more sensitive to loneliness and more prone to depression: «We are recording many requests from women, retired professionals, left alone due to various life circumstances», specifies Landini. The opening in Turin is the first in a large Italian urban centre, after the experiment of the pilot opening in Siena, within a green park complete with spa and swimming pool. Then it will be Milan’s turn, while, adds Landini, «another area we are focusing on is obviously Rome. For the South, however, we are evaluating Bari, a city well connected by transport, and the capital of Puglia, a region with a welfare system that works very well.”