The Senior Cohousing Model for the Sustainability of the Health Care System in Disadvantaged Areas. A Case Study from Italy

The population aging is in rapid evolution in all developed countries, producing relevant economic consequences and having a strong impact on welfare state systems. Many countries have solved these problems through the introduction of senior cohousing facilities. Senior cohousing has been studied mainly from the point of view of architectural features, urban development, social interaction, health, and environmental sustainability. However, few studies focused on this issue with reference to the economic conditions of elder people facing the need of assistance and medical services, supported by an inadequate income. The objective of this study is to identify a model that could be suitable for facing the lack of financial resources of elder people for the final part of their life. The model has been developed on the basis of an exploratory survey conducted in Italy, a country with a high proportion of elderly population.