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Adelaide is 74 years old and has been living alone for two years after becoming a widow. She was married to a poet who spent a lot of time writing and thinking about his ideas in silence. Now he feels the need for noise, excitement and company. He learned about the project through his daughter “Shared Home” and decide Open the door to the corner where he lived all his life“Initially I was afraid to apply because I didn’t know who would be entering my house”, she admitted, “but the truth is that I was curious and because I was alone, I decided to take the risk”, she revealed to Szabo.
The person knocking on her door was Filipa, a 26-year-old therapist and counsellor in the field of ageing who had moved to Lisbon to study for a second degree in psychology.
“When I applied, it only made sense to reconcile my career goals with my personal life”, he begins. “I knew the family’s story and the reality of the inmates, but I wanted to know more about the daily life of the elderly living at home, their habits and the difficulties they face. Then, if possible, my expectation was to meet these requirements and increase more autonomy, independence and functionality for as long as possible”, he admits.
Filipa and Adelaide have been living in the same house for three months and are very satisfied with the adventure they have embarked on. “Filipa is a great company, very friendly and it has been a very positive experience”, the 74-year-old hostess tells us. In addition to the social issues that the project aims to address, namely the isolation of the elderly and the student housing crisis, “Partilha Casa” is also a Opportunities for intergenerational learning and shared enrichment: “The benefits of the program have been huge, particularly in my case, I feel the sense of home and family has helped me a lot on an emotional level, at a time when I needed support. I hope to one day be able to give back in the same way to Adelaide and her family for the impact they have had on my life”, says Philippa.
To promote intergenerational matching and throughout the period of pair coexistence, Ongoing supervision by the responsible association through monthly home visits or phone calls“Une.Idades has been very active throughout the process, always acting as a bridge between the parties and facilitating any restrictions that may have arisen. They are always attentive, sensitive and concerned about everyone’s lives. I have to thank them very much”, he assures.
Technology serves the people
A Online platform “Partilha Casa” developed by MEOIn November last year, the company benefited from an investment of 80% of the communications budget allocated during the Christmas period. Through a partnership with a project aimed at sharing accommodation between the elderly and students, Telecom companies see themselves as drivers and facilitators of the initiative.
“We have been working in several areas, not only to make the platform known, but above all to encourage young and old to apply through concrete actions”, says Carolina Negrão, in charge of the Cause and Social Impact Department of MEO to SAPO. Since the project was created, several associations have shown interest in participating in it, a result that Carolina Negrão considers encouraging: “This is a national initiative and the more that join, the better. Only in this way can we make a difference”, she admits.
It should be remembered that according to the data of 2023 Eurostat, Portugal is the fastest ageing country in the EU And, according to a 2022 study conducted by the Loneliness Observatory, 1.7 million seniors say they live aloneAt the same time, the housing crisis has had a strong impact on the younger population, especially students, The supply of rooms in this segment fell by 80% between 2021 and 2022, displacing around 120,000 students in PortugalA study conducted by Cushman & Wakefield estimates that Lisbon and Porto alone have a shortage of 20,000 beds.
Currently, the project is available in Lisbon Egypt Coimbrarespectively through the Uni.Idades and Abraço de Gerações associations. Carolina Negrão assures that soon, “Partilha Casa” will be present in three new regions of the country.
For more information on the initiative, visit Official website.
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