Mintus

Living Independently Longer Thanks to Care Technology in Bruges

Mintus wants to give care-dependent individuals in Bruges the opportunity to live independently at home for longer. By using care technology, they aim to ensure that help is always within reach. For this reason, Mintus opened the doors of two renovated almshouses in the city in April 2022. How does care technology make it possible to live independently longer in these homes?

Scientific research and discussions with the target group showed that three themes are crucial for living independently at home for longer: safety, accessibility, and connectedness. Therefore, the homes were thoroughly renovated with these themes as a guiding principle. Some adjustments are more significant than others, but they all share the same goal: helping care-dependent individuals remain independent at home for longer.

Help Always Within Reach

Perhaps the most remarkable adjustments in the homes are those that are least visible. For example, 25-8 installed sensors that trigger an emergency signal in case of prolonged silence, which could indicate danger. In addition, residents can call for help themselves via a wristband or one of the many buttons placed throughout the house.

The demonstration homes are closely connected to the nearby Ter Potterie residential care center. Caregivers at this center receive the emergency signals. To provide the right assistance quickly, they can communicate with the resident through a speaker in the home and assess the severity of the situation.

Mintus also considered it important that residents know when help is on the way. Therefore, Zumtobel LynX lighting was installed in the homes to communicate via colors. The light turns green when help is on its way and blue when the doorbell rings.

To prevent valuable time from being lost in emergencies, the door automatically opens once the caregiver arrives. Furthermore, the homes are equipped with wider doors, a walk-in shower, and a height-adjustable kitchen counter, making them accessible to both wheelchair users and other residents.

A Strong Collaboration

For the realization of these two homes, Mintus and the city of Bruges collaborated with Vives University College and the European AGE’IN project. This project develops initiatives to improve the quality of life of older adults and help them stay at home longer through housing and environmental adaptations, as well as by preventing social isolation.

With these homes, Mintus, the city of Bruges, and the Bruges Public Center for Social Welfare aim to promote social innovation and break the isolation of care-dependent individuals. In our view, this adapted service represents a strong step in the right direction.