BOLZANO. After two years of work, in which the technicians also listened to the citizens - around 800 people in total to understand what the needs of a rapidly aging city are – the social plan of the capital is ready. It will be explained to the municipal commission on Wednesday; on November 11 at the council. «It is a planning tool – explains Carlo Alberto Librera, head of division and project manager – which aims to anticipate future scenarios, to set flexible social policy strategies for the years 2024-2034».
The Plan addresses various issues, but particular attention is paid to the policies to be adopted, to give differentiated responses – depending on needs – to a population where, despite the presence of immigrants who are lowering the average age, there are more and more elderly people and fewer and fewer young people. «It will be necessary – explains councilor Juri Andriollo – to act on several fronts. We need to strengthen home services to allow people to stay in their homes for as long as possible. Valuable help can come from the introduction of technologies into housing that increase the safety and quality of life of those who live there. But we also need to expand the places in retirement homes, where today people enter as late as possible, to travel the last mile.”
The problem is finding personnel, because in the sector that concerns personal care, technologies help but cannot replace the presence of operators.
«We are – explains councilor Andriollo – part of a network together with Trento, Belluno and Innsbruck. They are already moving to look for and train personnel abroad to be employed in the assistance sector. We will have to do it too. There are no alternatives. Furthermore, we must think about using a small part of the municipal assets to make housing available.”
More and more elderly
The Plan starts from the analysis of the demographic trend. The average age of the population of Bolzano continues to increase slightly and stood at 45.2 in 2022 and 45.4 in 2023: 43.5 years for men and 47.1 years for women. The foreign component continues to have a significant impact on the average age of the population, as it is much younger: the average age of the 15,719 foreigners registered in the registry is 36.1 years, compared to 47 years for the Italians and 45.4 years for the total population of Bolzano (including foreigners). People aged 65 and over represent 24.1%, that is, almost one in four inhabitants is already over 65 years old. There are 61 residents in Bolzano who have reached or exceeded 100 years of age; only 8 men.
The “oldest” neighborhood is Europa-Novacella, with a percentage of 28.3% of people aged 65 and over and 17.1% of people aged 75 and over; Don Bosco follows with 25.3% and 14.4% respectively. The “youngest” neighborhood is Oltrisarco-Aslago, with an average age of 43.4 years.
The old age index, which measures the ratio between elderly people (65 years and over) and young people (up to 14 years old) and indicates the degree of aging of the population, also increased in all neighborhoods, rising from 171.1 in 2021 to 174.6 in 2022. In 2023 it exceeded 180 for the first time (180.2 versus 174.6 in 2022); it means that there are 180 people over sixty-five for every 100 young people.
More places in retirement homes
«All efforts - assures Andriollo - are concentrated already today and even more so in the future, to ensure that the day in which people are forced to enter a retirement home is increasingly postponed. Nonetheless, the Plan cannot fail to provide for an increase in the number of beds in the facilities.”
A few days ago the municipal council gave the go-ahead for the expansion of the Villa Europa retirement
The structure will be raised by one floor and the beds will increase from the current 96 to a total of 120 (plus 24). The total estimated cost will be 20,388,067 euros. The works will be carried out without the need to transfer guests. The operation that will concern the Don Bosco retirement home located opposite is more complicated. The project involves – starting from the end of 2026 - the demo-reconstruction of the largest retirement home in South Tyrol. The intervention program is divided into two lots, which will involve demolishing half the complex and transferring part of the guests to a temporary structure that the Municipality is looking for. Then it will be the other party’s turn.
Nothing will remain of the original complex; apart from the Alzheimer Nucleus which is a little detached from the main building and was built in 2016. However, the shape of the main building, built in the 1950s, has changed: today it is a parallelepiped, it will become an “L”-shaped structure with an extension towards the park. However, the height does not change: six floors, five of which are above ground. The quality increases significantly: at least 50% of the rooms will be single, while today they are practically all doubles. This explains the reduction in places: from the current 164 to 142. Planned investment: 28 million euros, largely covered by the contribution of the Province.
Over 100 places in Oltrisarco
After years of discussions and shifting of responsibilities between the Municipality and the Province, it seems that the situation has been resolved and the provincial council, in recent weeks, has approved the urban planning variant which will allow the construction of a retirement home – within the former Mignone neighbourhood. – Rosenbach – with a hundred beds and staff accommodation. We are thinking of co-planning with the private sector which will then also take care of the management.
The project stopped
Bad news instead from via della Roggia. After long negotiations between the Municipality and the La Roggia Foundation, owner of the retirement home at number 5 in Via della Roggia, it seemed that the expansion of the structure – from 38 to 80 beds – was now done (or almost).
A 20 million euro operation which should have made the most of the volume of the existing retirement home and that of the Municipality: an old building with accommodation now almost all empty at number 1. Instead, a few months ago, there was the opinion negative from the Province’s Elderly Commission and now we start from scratch.
Time.news Interview: Planning for an Aging Population in Bolzano
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Welcome to the interview, Carlo Alberto Librera, project manager and head of division for Bolzano’s new social plan. It’s great to have you with us today to discuss your extensive work involving the city’s aging population.
Carlo Alberto Librera: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to share our insights and plans for Bolzano’s future.
Editor: You’ve conducted extensive consultations with around 800 citizens over the past two years. What were some of the key themes that emerged from these discussions regarding the needs of the elderly?
Librera: Certainly! The engagement revealed a strong desire for improved home services that allow people to age comfortably in their own homes. There was also an emphasis on the need for better integration of technology to enhance safety and quality of life. People expressed concern about the growing number of elderly while noting that fewer young people reside in Bolzano.
Editor: It sounds like a multifaceted challenge. In your social plan, you mentioned the importance of flexible and differentiated responses based on community needs. Could you unpack that a bit?
Librera: Absolutely. The plan is designed to adapt to various scenarios that may arise in the next decade. We’re focusing on creating multiple pathways for support. For instance, while some may require enhanced home care services, others might need more spaces in retirement homes. Our goal is to provide tailored support for everyone, particularly the most vulnerable populations.
Editor: Councilor Juri Andriollo indicated that despite the use of technology, the healthcare sector still struggles with staffing. How are you addressing this issue?
Librera: That’s a significant concern. We are now looking towards international recruitment strategies, collaborating with regions like Trento, Belluno, and Innsbruck. Our network is actively seeking and training personnel abroad. It’s crucial that we not only find more workers but train them to meet our local needs effectively.
Editor: Demographic trends in Bolzano reveal a rising average age, with an increase in the elderly population. With one in four residents over 65, what proactive measures are being taken to accommodate this shift?
Librera: We are investing in expanding retirement home facilities substantially. For example, Villa Europa is set to increase its capacity from 96 to 120 beds to accommodate more residents. Additionally, we’re planning significant renovations at the Don Bosco retirement home to enhance its services and adapt to the growing need for care.
Editor: The demographic data presents quite a challenge, particularly the old-age index exceeding 180 for the first time. How does this impact your long-term strategies?
Librera: It certainly emphasizes the urgency of our planning. Our strategies need to evolve continually as the population ages. We are implementing a mix of community engagement, infrastructure development, and enhanced home services. Our ultimate objective is to ensure that entering a retirement home becomes a decision of necessity rather than the only option available.
Editor: Before we conclude, Carlo, what message do you hope to convey through this social plan to Bolzano’s residents, elderly or otherwise?
Librera: I want our residents to feel that their voices have been heard and integrated into this plan. It’s not just about the policies but ensuring that every person feels valued, supported, and connected in our community. Our future is about making Bolzano a place where people of all ages can thrive together.
Editor: Thank you, Carlo Alberto Librera, for your valuable insights and the essential work you’re doing for the residents of Bolzano. We look forward to seeing how these initiatives unfold in the coming years.
Librera: Thank you! It was a pleasure speaking with you.