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Mr. Frings, what are the mostly specifics in apartments, which could become "stumbling blocks" for elderly people?
These are for example too high entrances in bath tubs or shower cabin, too narrow doors, steppings in the entrance or to the balcony and stairs in general.
Which criterias should an age-appropriate apartment fulfil?
It should be barrier-free. You could also say treshold-free, that means without stairs.
Lots of elderly people get injured when falling. Leg-braking often occurs. If everything is situated on one single level, such accidents could be avoided. If this is not possible, one should install a second handrail at the stair´s wall, to grip on the right and on the left hand.
Of course, there are also stair elevators.
How much does this cost?
A stair lift for a straigth staircase up to the first floor costs about 6.500 Euro. If one is accredited in need of care, he of she can apply for a subsidiary of maximum 2.557 Euro for this so called "living area approving measure" at the public health care office. Also for the bathtub there are several auxiliaries. If the doctor approves for the need, a bathtub lift can be applied at the health insurance fund. Beside this, in age-appropriate apartments the doors should be at least 80 centimeter wide, so that elderly people can pass with a rolling walker or a wheelchair.
Whow helps with the refurbishment? To whom can interested people apply?
To "Wohn-Mobil" for example. We visit the people on location, plan together with them and our architect what can be done, we organize the craftsmen. Often the measures can be financed by the public health care office.
In North-Rhine Westphalia, there are approximately one hundered consulting offices for age-appropriate building measures, which are summarized by the working group for living consultation. You can find it on the internet under www.wohnberatungsstellen.de.
On new buildings - what should be minded concerning a great age?
Often there are little details, which are not minded in younger ages, but which can be a great handicap later. For example the already mentioned balcony or terrace sills of up to 20 centimeters. These things should be avoided on new buildings. Help and care at great age are closely connected to the living situation.
Which governmental subsidiaries are offered for an age-appropriate refurbishment?
The age-appropriate structure alteration is supported by the federal government for traffic, building and city planning (BMVBS). It is the "Program 155", which private citizens or non-profit housing cooperatives can apply for at their house bank. At the moment, the rates are at 1,2%.
Furthermore, in North-Rhine Westphalia since 2006 there is a program "existance invest - measures for reducement of barriers in consistin living area". This is also a low rate credit. Up to 15.000 Euro credit can be applied.
Since this year May, there is furthermore a subsidiary by the federal government for the age-appropriate structure alteration of apartments, that owners and renters can apply at the KfW-Bank. What exactely is subsidied and at what amount?
It´s the so called "Programm 455", with which a subsidiary of 5% of the eligible costs can be provided. This is at maximum 2.500 Euro. So I have to invest 50.000 Euro, to obtain the subsidiary of 2.500 Euro. The financial support can be applied by private citizens of any age, if owner or renter (with the agreement of the owner).
What additional help, not only for the refurbishment, can elderly people organize or apply for?
Besides health care services and helpers, the self-organized help is very important.
This can be a telephone chain or something else. In any case, much more can be done!
There is a need for about 2.5 million age-appropriate apartments, actually there are only 175.000.
Mrs. Rodekirchen, more and more, we hear about alternative forms of living for a great age. What does that mean?
This means everything, that has been developed within the last 25 years, besides living in a retirement home or living alone.
Until now, there is a huge variety of forms of "living together": age crossing, just women, healthy and sick, groups with special philosophy of life, just elderly people ...
Some projects, such as the generation crossing "Haus Mobile" in Cologne-Weidenpesch, combine property, free financed and grant-aided living space; in Veledastraße (southern district) a residential cooperative has provided 8 barrier-free apartments for a community living project.
To whom do these forms of living fit?
To all, who can imagine to live in good neighbourhood with other people and who have interest to help other people.
Besides this, one should have tolerance, interest in other people and a certain ability to manage conflict situations.
The registered association "Verein Neues Wohnen im Alter", that You´re working for, now exists since 25 Years. What has changed within this time, concerning forms of living and special needs in living at a great age?
Many things! When we started almost 30 years ago, old people were livin alone or in a retirement home, if they were not integrated in their family any more.
We have been regarded as cranks and our ideas put on a level with communes or the flower-power of the 60ies. We had to do a lot of explanation and convincement. Today, more and more people are interested in joint living.
We provide information material, we advise single persons, groups, persons who are interested job-related; we mediate between the groups, offer workshops and hold lectures, organize workshops, regional and transregional meetings.
What are the advantages in contrast to living alone or living in a retirement home? What are the disadvantages?
The most worthy advantage is the self-rule. Also the social contact and the safety is very important for many persons. A better quality of living has been quoted by the inhabitants as well. These forms of living avoid loneliness and separation. The neighbours are in reach, if someone is in need of help.
You do things together, have a good infrastructure, all apartments are barrier-free.
I cannot mention any disadvantages. Almost all, who live in such a living project, don´t want to leave it anymore.
By the time, there are studies that prove, that the people living there stay in better condition much longer.
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