Collaboration key to quality care delivery
By Sylwia Ziemacka, co-founder and chair, SHHA
The Senior Housing and Healthcare Association is proud to be a growing voice for the industry, driving innovation and collaboration to meet the challenges of Europe’s ageing population.
With the 65-plus demographic increasing rapidly, it is crucial to adopt a forward-thinking approach to long-term care that integrates infrastructure, services, and workforce development.
The European Care Strategy, adopted in December 2022, provides a foundation for these efforts. This framework focuses on quality, affordability and accessibility in care services, while improving conditions for both caregivers and care receivers. Lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic underscored the critical role of care in supporting societal and economic resilience, making systemic reform a priority.
Improving quality of life
While the EU strategy emphasises long-term care, evidence shows that supporting older adults while they are still active significantly extends their health and independence. UK data from ARCO shows this: Integrated Retirement Communities (IRCs) improve residents’ quality of life and generate substantial cost savings for public healthcare systems like the NHS by reducing reliance on medical interventions.
At SHHA, we believe thoughtfully designed senior living and care solutions, combined with public-private collaboration and the exchange of best practices, are vital to meeting future demands and easing burdens on healthcare systems.
Equally important is addressing the labour challenges in the senior care sector. Both home care and institutional care struggle with recruiting and retaining skilled workers. Developing systems that make caregiving a sustainable, rewarding career with professional growth opportunities is essential.
Collaboration is central to SHHA’s mission. By uniting public and private stakeholders, we foster the exchange of ideas, showcase diverse perspectives, and drive meaningful change. Together, we are creating solutions that enhance the quality of life for older adults and ensure that Europe sets a global standard for senior care excellence.
