Project Description
NaboN?r works towards an age-friendly city by strengthening the support networks between neighbors in apartment buildings and small housing complexes. The purpose behind strengthening the support network is to give the inhabitants the opportunity to help their neighbors with small household tasks. By strengthening the support network in the neighborhood and building trust between neighbours, new connections are being established, so the quality of life gets improved. This will provide the seniors with a better opportunity to age in place and reduce pressure on the health sector.
Twenty-two seniors were interviewed, as well as a senior center manager, a home nurse, a librarian and a manager of a volunteer centre. These interviews took place at locations which attract seniors, such as senior centers and the Deichmann Bj?rvika library.
In addition, NaboN?r organized workshops in Loh?gda Borettslag and Skauen Borettslag.
Context
NaboN?r followed a bottom-up strategy where the goal was to find relevant problems that seniors face nowadays. As a result, the need for help with small household tasks was identified as well as the struggle with digital tools. This motivated the group to work on a low-threshold and non-digital way to reach out for help. As it is easier to ask neighbors for help than strangers, the decision was made to focus on neighborhoods for the support network.
Project Outcomes
The project succeeded in many aspects. It focused on a relevant problem for Oslo and validated this problem. Many interviews were conducted with seniors and workers in elderly care. The project was developed over time at different stages. However, there was little participation in the workshops, but the participants who showed up were engaged, motivated and wanted to take part in the project.
City Connection
The project is based on the action plan for an Age-Friendly City and the action plan for Safe and Diversified Care of Older People. In these action plans, the City of Oslo mentions that they strive to 'increased interaction and dialogue with the elderly to facilitate age-friendly solutions and design' (Action plan for an Age-friendly City, 2017, p. 30) and the level of 'volunteerism and low-threshold services in neighbourhoods' (Action plan for Safe and Diversified Care of Older People, 2017, p. 54).
Key Staff Contact: Monica Enge Eriksen, a senior adviser at The Department of Health, Aging and Municipal services.
Group Members
- Farouk Joubi, Administration & Leadership, OsloMet
- Jasmijn in 't Velt, Geography, Spatial Planning and Environment, Radboud University (UiO Exchange)
- Sadaf Parwany, Landscape Architecture, NMBU