Today’s hospitals are mainly oriented to curing acute pathologies in young patients, even though the demographic tendency of an ageing population already means that more than 50% of hospital admittances and more than 50% of admittances to out-patient facilities are for people over 65 years of age, often suffering from chronic conditions and presenting pluripathology (source: Information and Knowledge Unit of the Catalan Health Services, 2017). We are experiencing circumstances in which the hospital facilities are not properly designed for the elderly in spite of the fact that they make up the majority of users. They, in particular the older ones, are especially vulnerable because they often suffer mental, sensory and mobility constraints and being admitted to hospital is more likely to be a critical transition event than for younger patients. Their hospitalisation is more complex due to all these circumstances, a factor that, if not taken sufficiently into account, can lead to complications of the ailments or atrophy of their motor and cognitive abilities that may make them more care-dependent at the end of their time in hospital. These detrimental consequences lead to a considerable increase in expenses (longer stays, readmissions, the need for further care, etc.). At the same time, it must be kept in mind that hospitalisation of these patients, seen from a more comprehensive point of view, provides a unique opportunity to act and to tackle numerous medical, functional and social problems simultaneously.

In view of the facts, it is clear that we must respond to the changes arising from an ageing population. CASA SOLO aspires to be a benchmark by creating innovative designs that will drive this rethinking and improvement of care for elderly users. Our mission is to be actors with a vision of the future in this indispensable new approach.