A new study conducted in the canton of Fribourg highlights the need to develop more housing dedicated to the elderly that offers support services. According to Pro Senectute Fribourg and the Association of Institutions for the Aging and Home Care (AFISA), these forms of housing represent a cheaper and more suitable solution compared to nursing homes.
The study, conducted between September 2025 and March 2026, shows that most older people prefer to stay in their own homes. However, senior housing is seen as an ideal compromise, as it offers independence but also daily support such as care, advice and practical assistance. These facilities also include shared spaces that help reduce social isolation.
The study authors point out that these apartments cost about four to five times less than staying in a nursing home and can delay entry into nursing homes by about two years on average.
There are currently 652 such apartments in Fribourg, but demand is much higher due to the rapid growth of the elderly population. According to Pro Senectute, the number of people over 65 is expected to double by 2035, creating a major challenge for the social and health system.
Experts are calling on cantonal authorities to invest more in this housing model, which is seen as a sustainable solution for the future of elderly care.
One of the residents living in such an apartment in Fribourg is 85-year-old Richard Müller, who moved on the advice of his doctor due to health problems. He says that despite the small space, the environment allows him to maintain his independence and avoid living in a nursing home, which he did not accept.
According to him, this lifestyle still gives him the opportunity to make plans for the future, including travel./Albinfo.ch
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