Press release

Survey reveals accessibility is non-issue for seniors looking for housing - TAG Immobilien AG develops senior-friendly concepts for self-determined living

Hamburg (22 November 2016) - 78 percent of tenants over the age of 65 in Germany feel comfortable in their own homes - more than in any other age group. Good shopping facilities and a balcony or terrace are crucial to the happiness of seniors. Meanwhile, and rather astonishingly, they place hardly any value on disabled access. These findings are from a population-representative survey by TAG Immobilien AG, in conjunction with the Technical University of Darmstadt, that surveyed 2,000 tenants in Germany.

Only ten percent of the over-65-year-olds indicate that a flat with disabled access is important when choosing a new home. "Even though older tenants give precedence to other criteria, accessibility is becoming increasingly important due to demographic change," says Professor Dirk Schiereck of the TU Darmstadt. "Entrances free of stairs and thresholds, floor-level showers, and level access to the balcony are still far too rarely the standard in Germany's homes." He said that only three percent of existing homes in Germany are adequately equipped for the needs of the elderly and disabled.

There are many ways to create suitable housing for seniors, ranging from architectural and neighbourhood concepts to assisted living. TAG Immobilien AG's aim is for elderly people to be able to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible. "We recently implemented senior-friendly concepts at our locations in Erfurt, Bestensee and Salzgitter," says Claudia Hoyer, the TAG Management Board member responsible for property management.

Among other things, this involves teaming up with welfare organisations to establish care and nursing services, or intergenerational centres as a network of neighbourhood assistance. "Seniors have very specific expectations for housing and services. Half of them also want more leisure offerings," says Hoyer.

In Erfurt, for example, TAG developed a service concept with 72 senior-friendly flats and a care offer which is supported by a care provider. A concierge in the lobby provides a sense of security, common areas offer space for meeting and leisure. Two nursing apartments for daytime care are also available. "This project enables us to meet people's need for independent living," says Hoyer.

In Gera and Bestensee the company has established housing counselling for seniors which specialises in bathroom adaptation. In a special show bathroom, tenants can learn more about higher toilet seats, accessible showers, or grips to improve their personal safety in the bathroom. Trained staff advise and support seniors in the conversion of their bathrooms. In Wittenberg and Cottbus, flats with open-plan kitchens, a utility room and spacious bathrooms were developed. The TAG concept also includes parking spaces for walkers.

"Due to increasing demand, landlords are forced to adapt to the housing needs of older people with creative solutions like these," says Schiereck. "But at the same time actions such as tenant parties or activity meetings that bring together young and old are also important." This not only ensures a good neighbourhood and help for people in need, but in the long run also safeguards the quality of life in a residential area, says Schiereck.

Contact for the tenant survey:
Thöring & Stuhr
Communications Consultancy
Claudia Thöring
Mittelweg 19 - D-20148 Hamburg
phone: +49 40 207 6969 82
mobile: +49 170 2150 146
Claudia.Thoering@corpnewsmedia.de

About TAG Immobilien AG
TAG Immobilien AG an MDAX-listed company with a more than 125-year history. Its primary locations are in the Greater Hamburg and Berlin areas, the Salzgitter region, as well as Thuringia / Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia. TAG currently manages nearly 80,000 dwellings and the associated commercial areas, garages and parking spaces. The company's goal is to improve the quality of housing for its tenants. In line with this, TAG adapts its holdings to modern living needs to, gets involved in the communities of its residential quarters, and promotes a good neighbourhood spirit. The Group continually reduces vacancy and increasing the value of its total portfolio through prudent management of its properties and a future-oriented/forward-looking development of its overall portfolio.

Press enquiries:
TAG Immobilien AG
Head of Investor & Public Relations
Dominique Mann
Phone +49 (0) 40 380 32 300
Fax +49 (0) 40 380 32 390
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