Smart Work 2027: Housing foresight course for older adults
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The development of housing advisory services for older adults began in 2023 with a part-time work resource for one employee. The activity started mainly as guidance and advisory work conducted by phone. Contacts often focused on questions related to home accessibility and housing alternatives. Information about housing foresight was also shared at information events hosted by various associations. These contacts and visits led to the idea of offering housing foresight in a group format.
The housing foresight course consists of three sessions, where you can learn about housing foresight, changes in functional capacity and housing needs as you age, services and support available at home, and housing options. Peer support and discussions among participants are an important part of the course content, offering new perspectives and encouragement to move forward with your own housing solutions.
Based on feedback, the course—held twice so far—has provided a place for meaningful encounters and increased awareness of housing foresight and housing advisory services. Guidance and advice on housing foresight that takes functional capacity into account increases individuals’ own responsibility for maintaining their functional capacity and planning ahead for their housing conditions, while reducing or postponing the need for help and potentially preventing housing-related problems. Group-based guidance and advisory work also saves staff resources.
The content and implementation of the course are continuously evaluated and developed based on participant feedback. The next course will be held in autumn 2026. The model has attracted interest from other municipalities. In 2027, the course will be incorporated into a new wellbeing course for older adults. As a new activity in autumn 2026, a discussion evening will be organized for relatives of older adults, offering information about housing foresight and a chance to exchange thoughts with others in similar situations.
Developer
Katja Kopra, Housing Advisor for Older Adults / Volunteer Activity Coordinator