The Xunta de Galicia has approved the first Galician regulations for collaborative housing for the elderly, the coexistence model called cohousing senior. It regulates and defines the material, architectural and personnel conditions for this new type of resource that allows a group of older people to live in the same place autonomously and share services.
Among the conditions and requirements established in this regulation for the cohousing senior, it is found that the facilities will be able to house a maximum of 150 people with an age equal to or greater than 55 years. In addition, the centers will have private spaces (consisting of a room, bathroom, kitchen, living room and storage room), as well as common use areas.
With this regulation, the Galician Government regulates and defines the material, architectural and personnel conditions that senior ‘Cohousing’ homes must have
In addition, it is also foreseen social health care room or space for the assistance of people who require care. In addition, these centers must have a service organization plan and common activities. In the case of dependent persons, they may be cared for through a public service or aid or through professionals linked to the center.
During the presentation of this regulation, the president of the Xunta, Alfonso Ruedastressed that the cohousingor collaborative housing, is a model of coexistence that has a extensive experience in other countries such as the Nordics. The regulation that the Xunta has now approved allows, in his opinion, to respond to a demand from society that demands a new model of care “that meets the needs and preferences of the elderly”. Because the objective, as the president of the Xunta highlighted, is to promote measures so that the elderly can have a life “autonomous and free”.
With this regulation, the Galician Government reinforces its commitment to commuter services that allow older people to decide where and how to live this stage of their lives. Along these lines, Galicia also has other resources, such as the Home Help Service, which brings professional care to the homes of more than 25,000 elderly users; more than a hundred of houses of the elder; the program , which covers the entire Galician territory offering free podiatry, audiology and memory stimulation services; he Xantar in the house, which brings healthy and balanced menus to the homes of 1,800 senior citizens; wave telecarewhich offers technological support to receive immediate attention in case of emergency.
Interested people can the ORDER of October 10, 2022, which modifies the Order of April 18, 1996, which develops Decree 243/1995, of July 28, regarding the regulation of the specific conditions and requirements that care centers for the elderly must comply.