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Short abstract

Social and environmentally sustainable care is only possible by adapting existing buildings and through collaborative efforts. Taking a critical view on dominating ideas about socio-technical imaginaries we ask how could the future of care in adapted homes and engaged neighbourhoods look like?

Long abstract

Ageing in place means to remain living at home, with some level of independence, rather than in residential care. Considering the functional, symbolic and emotional attachments and meanings of homes, a home is not only a fixed, physical place but part of dynamic landscapes of social, political, cultural and personal change. It is therefore important to increase liveability, accessibility and the opportunity for social interaction and appropriate care in the private housing stock through timely adaptations of the living environment and the inclusion of in-home technological aids. Adapting and retrofitting existing homes in a functional and aesthetic way rather than constructing new buildings is the only social, economic and environmentally sustainable solution for the future of elderly care. Ageing in place based on age-friendly renovations and adaptations can be the collective vision of how to link social and technological solutions of care in the own home beneficial for the elderly and those around them. Taking a critical view on currently dominating ideas about socio-technical imaginaries we are asking how could the future of dignified care in timely adapted homes and engaged neighbourhoods look like? Based on findings from the ongoing project HOME, in which we aim to generate actionable insights manifested in the implementation of innovative technologies and care services we would like to foster discussion about the future of ageing in place and the collaboration of technology, aesthetics and care within it.