Generation-compatible instead of age-appropriate: ageless living

Furniture that’s suitable for homes for all life stages, without sacrificing aesthetics and style? That’s ageless living. After all, lifestyles and home living in the “silver society” extend far beyond accessibility concepts – successful residential models combine the requirements of young and old.

From Tokyo to Moscow, Buenos Aires and Guadeloupe, the population is ageing the world over. It’s not happening at the same speed everywhere, but the phenomenon is nevertheless evident all around the globe. Germany is no exception – in fact, the Federal Republic has the oldest population in Europe, as also illustrated by the projection that more than one in ten Germans will be aged 75 or older by 2030. Consequently, the ageing of the world’s population is one of the key megatrends of our time. The term “silver society” describes this new culture of ageing – as well as the radical changes that go with it. It’s already clear today that the effects of ageing will become more significant in the decades ahead and that fundamental changes in general requirements are to be expected.

With an older society comes a need for different infrastructure – modifications and improvements to public spaces, local transport, roads and paths – extending to the design of buildings and homes.

For many years, researchers have been working on urban concepts that make use of new technologies to make life easier for the growing number of older people in society. In the future, this will involve extending the concept of accessible living to become one of universal design with the aim of establishing a new standard for average user needs that will benefit everyone: greater comfort.

Accessibility and aesthetics should no longer be mutually exclusive – that is key. Under the motto “No Country for Old Men”, the designer duo Lanzavecchia + Wai from Italy and Singapore have created a range of furniture that is as practical as it is compelling from a design perspective. For example, the collection includes an attractive designer chair that helps the user to stand up by tilting forward slightly when they shift their body weight.

Under the neutral-sounding name of Vital Hotel, Dutch hotel chain Van der Valk has converted many of its properties to ensure that older guests also feel comfortable. But in such a way that it’s not immediately obvious. In Denmark, Sweden and Norway, old people’s homes and hospices now look quite different – in a good way. Scandinavian design classics and pieces of furniture are a sign that someone has paid attention to the needs of the residents, providing a degree of comfort that goes beyond the purely functional.

“Ageless” instead of “age-appropriate” – that’s the motto for future living. Accessibility is thus becoming a factor that affects all age groups and combines beautiful design with furnishings tailored to meet all requirements. Ageless living doesn’t “just” facilitate independent living in later life – it offers the option of creating a living experience that is comfortable in every respect for all generations at an early stage. And with that a new attitude to life.