The Netherlands, Eindhoven
By: Aquarius Association

People over 55 live in a resource-sharing community suited to their diverse needs and lifestyles

Solution
Aquarius is a social community of about 45 older people living together, helping each other when needed. They want to grow old together. They each have a private home and garden, but also use a communal space and large communal garden. The inhabitants help each other out as much as possible. A committee organises the community, and has the task of vetting potential new members, who can apply between ages 55 and 65 (to make sure there are is always a mix of younger and older residents). Aquarius is a community where elderly people spend their days in an active social active environment.

Background
In 1984 a group of elderly people who did not feel comfortable living alone, but even less comfortable living in an elderly home, took the initiative to establish an elderly living society in Eindhoven. These people wanted to have an environment that was better adjusted to the needs and wishes of their age category. Some of these people lived on their own and felt lonely, with little or no social connections to society. Other people felt insecure in their own houses and wanted to get a safer feeling. Others needed regular healthcare but were reluctant to go to an elderly home.

Current situation
The founders of the community initially spent a lot of time investiagting postive features of other elderly communities to implement in their own. Since it started in 1990, not much has changed, except for the arrival of a few newcomers, and small practical improvements to the community. The inhabitants rent their houses from an Eindhoven housing society, which owns the buildings, and rent the communal area between them. Committee work is voluntary, and the main garden is maintained by a gardener which they also pay between them.

The benefits

Society
Living in Aquarius encourages active social contact, and helps keep inhabitants’ lives as vital as possible, in a safe, friendly environment. Members remain active and independent for a longer period; society in general reduces the need for nursing of the senior citizens. Aquarius encourages the distribution of giving and receiving aid over the retirement years.

Environment
As most of the activities take place within Aquarius, transport intensity is minimised. Children of the inhabitants don’t often need to help them with problems, as most help is given by fellow inhabitants, which also reduces journeys.

Economy
The economics of Aquarius are almost the same as normal life. They rent a house and the activities are organised voluntary by fellow inhabitants. Mutual co-operation saves a lot of money.

The experience
A peaceful, well-run common garden acts as a transition zone and place to meet others. A communal area for activities is a perfect combination of public and private space. Helping neighbours when they are sick engenders a feeling of being cared for.

Future development possibilities
Creating communal spaces in the buildings would allow inhabitants to organise more kinds of activities together.

Authors:
TU Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Yanick Aarsen, Emiel Lagarde, Dick Rutten, Niko Vegt

“Aquarius is like a student house for elderly people. People there seem to be socially connected but also able easily to maintain their privacy. Many people told us the arrangement is the perfect compromise between living on your own and living in a nursing home.” (the authors of the case study)