Shared apartment instead of a retirement home: Eleven elderly roommates start a new phase of life

Created: 2022-12-27 07:32

By: Jannis Gogolin

Founder Sascha Seuß, project planner Christian Moosbrugger and co-initiator Markus Weigel in front of the building.

Next to him Weigel with the last one in the future kitchen of the eleven residents.

© Markus Weigel

A flat-sharing community for seniors: In Kasendorf, the first old-age flat-sharing community in the area will open its doors in January.

The rush is already high.

Kasendorf – At the latest during puberty, everyone develops the need to shape their life in a self-determined manner and according to their own taste.

With advancing age, however, it becomes more and more difficult to independently deny everyday life.

Faster than some people would like, one is dependent on outside help.

But there are already forms of housing for seniors that bridge the gap between self-determination and support without family members having to step in.

This also applies to the new senior citizens' facility by Sascha Seuß and Markus Weigel in Kasendorf.

In January they open their residential community for senior citizens and thus meet the ravages of time.

Self-determined living in old age: Kasendorfer Senioren-WG demonstrates it

The trained nurse Seuß found out that something like this is even possible while on vacation.

On a bike tour through the Allgäu, she accidentally discovered a flat share for seniors and was enthusiastic about the cheerful atmosphere.

"I immediately thought to myself that I wanted to live like this when I was old," she says.

Six months later, she visited the facility again and had the concept explained to her.

“I was immediately convinced.

This is pioneering work.” With these impressions, she returned to Kulmbach and began to start such a project herself.

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Now, eight years later, their senior living community in the Magnus Tower, a landmark of Kasendorf, is about to open.

The building was previously empty.

“We had an open house last Saturday.

And on January 4th, the first residents will move in,” explains Seuß.

More than 250 interested parties were on site, and their e-mail inbox fills up with new inquiries and applications every day.

This is probably also due to the fact that the costs for a place to live are just as high as a place in a residential care facility.

Experimental shared flat concept: Everyday life is in the hands of the residents

Their concept is similar to that of a shared student flat – self-determined and at eye level.

There are shared living and dining rooms and a total of eleven private apartments with their own bathrooms.

However, it is up to the residents alone to decide exactly what coexistence will actually look like.

The work that caregivers and household workers take on also depends on the abilities and wishes of the elderly.

"It keeps you mentally fit when you have something to do," Seuß knows from experience.

“We want to create a place that fully adapts to the people.

Whatever you want to do, you can do here.

Anything that is no longer possible will be taken over,” explains the head of nursing.

This allows the residents to cook for themselves without overexerting themselves when doing the dishes.

“Actually, anything is possible.

And if you want to plant a raised bed in the garden, you can do that," says Seuß.

The residents are never left alone.

“There are permanent presence forces on site.

And when making decisions about living together, they are supported by a moderator.”

No shortage of nursing staff - "It's well received on the job market"

If Seuss had his way, there should be a form of housing for seniors in every larger village.

“But you need a bit of idealism for that,” she admits.

She and her business partner Weigel are the only investors who have made advance payments with their private money.

But the concept seems to be working and not only offers the future residents a nice environment.

“The housing project seems to be going down well on the job market.

Because we definitely don't have a shortage of staff."