From fostering conversations on the future of elderly care in the Nordics, Solhemmet Fastigheter is now preparing to address one of Europe’s most pressing societal challenges: a rapidly ageing population in Portugal.
At its core, Solhemmet is built on a simple but powerful idea, that quality of life should not diminish with age. By combining thoughtfully designed homes with community, accessibility, and proximity to care, the company has developed a model that benefits not only individuals, but society as a whole.
In 2015, reports of an ageing population in Sweden sparked the idea of how to best design senior homes that promote community and attentive care, while being flexible to adapt to the changing needs of tomorrow. Solhemmet Fastigheter was launched in 2018, together with a board of prominent architects and professionals in the field, to contribute to the societal challenge of an increasingly ageing population.
What distinguishes Solhemmet from its competitors is their ambition to reach beyond just purely architectural design. The aim is to encourage seniors to sell their current homes by offering a lifestyle defined by community, assurance, independence, and a meaningful everyday life. They have coined the phrase – “moving to something, rather than moving from something”.
The model also contributes to a more efficient use of public resources. Studies from the Nordics indicate that thoughtfully designed senior housing, combined with proximity-based care, can help reduce pressure on elderly care systems. In turn this can help delay the need for more intensive care later on in life and create long-term economic benefits for municipalities.
Having established a strong foundation in the Nordic market, Solhemmet is now turning its attention to Portugal, that is home to one of Europe’s oldest populations. The Portuguese context presents both challenges and opportunities. Traditionally, elderly care has largely been the responsibility of families, and access to adapted senior housing remains limited. At the same time, demographic trends, increasing numbers of single households among seniors, and a shortage of available care facilities point to a growing need for new solutions.
Solhemmet believes its model can play a meaningful role in this transition. By offering housing designed specifically for active and independent individuals over 65, the concept supports a shift towards more sustainable and dignified ageing. The homes are built to accommodate future needs from the outset, and feature, for example, full accessibility and layouts that support mobility and changing health conditions, while also enabling residents to maintain autonomy and identity.
Equally important is the social dimension. Solhemmet’s developments are designed to foster connection, with communal spaces and activities alongside a strong sense of belonging at its core. In a time where loneliness and isolation among older populations is increasingly recognized as a major social issue, this aspect plays a central role in the concept.
As Solhemmet explores the Portuguese market, collaboration will be key. Together with CLS, the company is looking to engage with local stakeholders, partners, and members to better understand the local context and contribute to the ongoing dialogue on how to improve elderly care systems, creating value for both individuals and society.
Discover how Solhemmet makes a difference through their website Solhemmet
We welcome Solhemmet Fastigheter to the CLS community.
