Objective

Transform non-metropolitan spaces to align with the lifestyles of Spanish elderly people and reduce loneliness.

The Scenario

Spain Statistics about Elderly People

In Spain, a significant demographic shift has led to an increase in the number of elderly individuals living alone or with one partner.

A high percentage of elderly population is shown in small, rural communities or suburban settings.

Tendencies and lifestyle clash

Traditional multigenerational households have become less common, with many younger family members leaving home early to pursue education or careers in urban areas. This transition often leads to feelings of isolation and a perceived lack of purpose, particularly following retirement when elderly individuals step away from their professional identities.

As a result, many elderly people find themselves navigating their daily lives without the support of family networks, leading to a disconnect from their communities. In the contemporary Spanish urban environment, vibrant, youth-centered spaces and developments dominate the social landscape. While these energetic spaces are bustling with life, they can inadvertently marginalize the elderly, who often struggle to find meaningful engagement in environments primarily designed for younger demographics. This lack of connection can cause many elderly individuals to withdraw from social activities, leading them to feel like they are no longer valuable contributors in a productivity-driven culture.

The loneliness statistics shown that the tendencies of loneliness is surprising in the youth population. It is a very good reminder that loneliness is not just a problem of old age, it is a problem that can affect everyone at any age and that lifestyle trends over time can increasingly affect loneliness in older people, a vulnerable social group.

The loneliness experienced by many elderly individuals is a pressing issue. Existing solutions, such as “INSERSO” and “casales de día,” offer temporary social engagement but do not address the deeper emotional and social needs that come with living alone. These activities, while beneficial in the short term, often leave large gaps in the day-to-day lives of elderly individuals, who require sustained, meaningful interactions to combat feelings of isolation. The problem persists and this is demonstrated in solutions such as senior centers. The following statistic graph, conducted in centers for older adults, presents the types of loneliness experienced and provides both the percentage and the exact number of individuals who identify with each type.

The pandemic has also shifted perspectives on living arrangements, with some individuals opting to relocate from crowded cities to rural areas in search of peace and community. However, these rural towns (also called La España vacía) often lack the infrastructure and resources needed to support an aging population effectively, highlighting the need for innovative solutions that foster a sense of belonging and purpose among the elderly fitting their physical limitations.

The User

The focus

We want you to focus on Spanish elderly individuals who live independently and desire to maintain their autonomy. Many of these individuals face physical limitations and also lack of purpose due to retirement.

Main user’s problems

Elderly Spanish individuals, typically over the age of 65, face unique challenges as they navigate the later stages of life. Many live alone or with partners, often experiencing a profound sense of solitude. This solitude can evoke feelings of abandonment, especially as their social networks diminish and familiar routines shift.

The transition into retirement can be particularly disorienting. After years of contributing to society through work, many elderly individuals encounter a loss of identity and purpose. The vibrant lives they once led may feel distant, replaced by daily activities that can become monotonous.

While they may engage in solitary tasks like gardening or watching television, the longing for meaningful social interactions remains. Opportunities for connection are often limited, leading them to seek companionship in community clubs or senior centers, which typically offer only temporary respite from loneliness.

Physical limitations can further complicate their daily experiences, hindering their ability to participate in community life and making routine outings feel daunting. Despite their desire for independence, many elderly individuals face barriers that prevent them from fully engaging with their surroundings.

What do we understand by non-lonely?

What elderly individuals truly seek is a renewed sense of belonging—an environment where their voices are respected, and their life experiences are acknowledged and valued. They long for genuine, meaningful connections with others who understand their journey. Rather than fleeting interactions, they desire enduring relationships, routines, and experiences that add richness to their lives. Much like their peers who maintain lifelong friendships by gathering in familiar spots—be it at their usual bench by the beach, their favorite neighborhood bar, or the Petanca Club next to the park where families stroll with children and pets—these connections provide not only social interaction but a comforting continuity in their daily lives.

Day in a Spanish elderly individual life

Example of a Target User (Real-Life Scenario)

Pepito and Encarna are a 90-year-old couple. When they got married, they built a beautiful large house with a garden and swimming pool. They never had children, so their family gatherings have always been with their nieces, nephews, and later on, their grandnieces and grandnephews. However, as they’ve aged, their lifestyle has changed dramatically. They no longer host barbecues or spend afternoons by the pool, their energy and mobility have significantly declined.

Key Changes in Their Lives

• Health and Mobility Decline: Over the years, Pepito and Encarna have both been hospitalized several times and can no longer enjoy the activities they once did. They don’t have the energy or mobility they used to, which has greatly affected their daily life.
• Adjustments in Their Living Space: Due to their reduced mobility, they had to move their bedroom from the first floor to the main floor. They are no longer able to drive, and Pepito now relies on a walker to move around the house. Simple activities, like walking to the local café for breakfast or buying a newspaper, are no longer possible.
• Limited Social Engagement: Most of their daily life is now confined to their living room and kitchen, as they are unable to manage household chores or other activities on their own. While their nieces and nephews care about them, they find it difficult to visit due to personal commitments, leaving Pepito and Encarna feeling increasingly isolated.

Support System

• Housekeeper: They have a housekeeper who visits six days a week in the mornings to clean, prepare lunch, and provide some company. However, this brief interaction doesn’t fulfill their need for more social engagement.
• Gardening and Hobbies: While they enjoy interacting with others, such as their neighbors or the gardener, it happens infrequently. Encarna loves plants and flowers, but she no longer has the energy to tend to her garden, which frustrates her, adding to the sense of loss over her favorite hobby.
• Nurse Visits: A nurse comes twice a week to check on their health and help with bathing. This provides essential physical care but doesn’t address their emotional and social needs.

Emotional Well-Being

• Loneliness and Frequent Calls to Family: Pepito and Encarna often feel alone, as most of their day is spent just the two of them. In their loneliness, they frequently call their relatives just to talk, craving interaction with loved ones. They know it is not possible to get in touch with their relatives every day, due to work timetable and other personal matters, so if that is not possible, they stay in the couch whatching TV.
• Concern About Safety: They are increasingly concerned about their vulnerability to robbery, though fortunately, it hasn’t happened.
• Joy and Sadness Around Family Visits: When their relatives do manage to visit, Pepito and Encarna are overjoyed and suddenly full of energy. These visits often involve outings to the mall, garden center, or grocery store, followed by enjoyable meals together. However, when it’s time for their family to leave, the couple becomes very sad, repeatedly asking when their loved ones will return.

Inspiration Sources

Four our proposal we have been inspired mainly in two trends:

• How is the life in the regions of the world with the lowest rate of mortality ( Vilcabamba in Ecuador and Ogimi in Japan). We realised that in those places predominates simplicity and a social backround in elders, as it does here in non-lonely people.
• Transformation of spaces as the solution of the future. For this second trend, we recently came across the exhibition of Mini in the London Design Week: Nice to meet you again. One of the topics of discussion was the future of urban designs, where they talked further into the human experience bringing the country to the city and solutions for the future. An we tough, is it possible to bring the city to the country?. Other examples of space transformation as the solution to problems are tiny homes that have this clever ideas to transform maybe the bedroom in the office in less than two minutes and effortless.

We encourage you to read a little bit about these trends , as we think may be key thoughts for this project.