Communal housing - An independent but not a lonely life

Communal housing is suitable for people who, as a rule, are able to manage their daily lives independently, but still need guidance, support or help in their daily lives.

Communal housing is often provided at the point of life when safe living in one’s own home is no longer possible even with the help of home care, support services brought home or informal care, but the elderly person does not yet need 24-hour care.

In communal housing, an older person can live an independent and active life supported by the services they need.

“When an older person moves to live for us, they may feel at home right away or find their place with time. However, people usually enjoy living here,” says Mare Rosenberg, Service Counsellor at the Soukka Life and Living Centre. 

At a communal housing unit, each resident has their own home, which they can furnish with their own furniture and important mementos.

“Home and its objects are an important part of human identity. When an elderly person realises that they have the opportunity to make their dwelling in the communal housing unit beautiful, it becomes a real home,” Mare knows.   

Communal housing offers a wide range of activities and time together with other residents. Participation is voluntary. If they so wish, older people can stay very much in their own space within the communal housing. For many older people, communal housing brings a completely new kind of activeness to life.

It’s often the case that an older person who has lived alone for a long time often flourishes when surrounded by their peers and activities. A resident may participate in exercise sessions, dance sessions, holiday festivities and a variety of refreshing programmes. The daily coffee break in the living room has become a wonderful communal moment during which people exchange news and get to know each other.

Residents can use shops and other services, go outdoors and meet their friends and family independently, according to their own habits.

Pertti 79 moved to the Soukka Life and Living Centre communal housing unit around 18 months ago. Life alone, far from services no longer worked.

I had to go travel a long way by bus to get to the store. I also started having health issues, and my memory and balance were playing tricks on me. I was no longer able to manage my daily life. At the end, I fell badly and was admitted to hospital,” Pertti explains.

When the idea of moving to a new form of housing was first suggested to Pertti, he didn’t warm up to its right away.

At first, I didn't want to leave home. But soon I realised that the solution was a really good one. I had thought living alone showed independence, but it was just very lonely.”

Pertti explains how his first days in his new home it seemed like he was in a fog.

“At first, I didn't leave my apartment to go anywhere. Then I realised that there were other people here, I found the communal coffee moments and made friends. I eat with certain people and go out for a breath of fresh air with others. It’s amazing that there are activities and people to chat with,” Pertti says.

Today, Soukka’s apartment feels like home to Pertti.

“The apartment is my kingdom, which I can leave to meet people either inside the building or farther away. The chair exercise sessions are my favourite. In the summer, we go out to eat with old friends, and there are plans to stop by at the cottage to admire Lake Längelmävesi,” Pertti says.

Leo 79, lived alone in Tapiola until it became impossible for him to go from the 7-storey building he lived in to a store.

“My legs have taken a beating from a young age as FC HJK's goalkeeper. Mobility was difficult in Tapiola and even impossible after surgery. Losing my driving license was the last straw, a really difficult time for me. I simply could no longer cope alone even with the help I received in my everyday life, Leo says.

A Senior Info employee came to Leo’s assistance, and Leo was able to get a home in Soukka’s communal housing unit. 

“I first visited the Leppävaara unit, but Soukka seemed more suitable for me. If I now had to choose between my previous home in Tapiola and this, I'd choose Soukka.”

According to Leo, getting used to change takes time. However, he feels that communal housing is a really good solution.

Everything is very straightforward here and I've even made friends. The accessible spaces make it easy to move around. My safety bracelet is a good help at night and the sauna also warms up,” Leo says. 
Further information: Communal housing for the elderly