SHINE 2Europe is a partner in the international consortium DESIRE – Design for all methods to create age-friendly housing, funded by the Erasmus+ Programme.
The Portuguese researchers of DESIRE held several sessions to survey the needs and barriers existing in the homes of people over 65 years of age. The sessions involving 22 participants took place in person and online, with individual interviews and group workshops.
The biggest challenges pointed out are directly related to poor access to buildings or houses, the lack of elevators or ramps, poor thermal and acoustic insulation and high electricity prices that make it impossible to heat the houses. Also, the lack of balconies or natural lighting were several times mentioned. Regarding furniture, cabinets with heights “where you can’t get there” were one of the main problems pointed out.
The biggest desires: space, storage, comfort and sustainable materials. Interestingly, beauty was not referred to as essential!
This is the starting point of a project that aims to provide professionals in the building industry and home furnishings sector with the tools and skills to apply Design4All methods as an integral part of the design process, with the aim to create or adapt age friendly housing as a solution for the wellbeing, comfort and autonomy of the older adults or dependents at home.
In the end it should be possible to consult all the components of this innovative curriculum in a Platform with the concepts and contents DESIRE.
More information in our website https://projectdesire.eu/#
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