Climate adaptation concept for a residential care home for the elederly in Germany
Client
Haus am Park Senioren- und Pflegeheim GmbH & Co.KG
Background
Due to climate change, an increase in extreme weather events is to be expected in the future. These include heavy rainfall and heatwaves in particular. The residents of residential care homes in particular belong to a vulnerable group of people who are particularly affected by the consequences of climate change.
Against this background, the retirement and care home "Haus am Park" (HaP) has decided to take climate change adaptation into account and incorporate preventative measures. Funding of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (in Germand abbreviated: BMUV) has been utilised for the concept development of specific climate adaptation strategies and the transferability of the findings to other social institutions.
Results
DFIC is supporting HaP in developing a specific climate adaptation strategy geared to the specific requirements of care facilities.
The concept includes ways to regulate the temperature, provide recommendations for action and make the building more resistant to extreme weather phenomena.
Improving living comfort - measures on the building structure
- Cooling of the rooms and heat protection through targeted shading, e.g. façade shading
- Heat relief room for strong / prolonged extreme heat events
- Heat protection in summer and improved thermal insulation in winter thanks to green roofs
Adaptation to heat and heavy rainfall events - outdoor measures
- Heat protection in the form of awnings and pergolas
- Planning of natural air circulation (ventilation corridors) for heat relief
- Soil cooling and shading by planting resilient shrubs and trees
- Increasing the water absorption capacity and thus enabling seepage through unsealed surfaces
Improved risk management during heatwaves - in-house communication
- Establishment of an in-house warning system (residents / care staff)
- Communication of targeted behavioural measures
To this end, a communication structure is being developed that bundles existing information (e.g. heat warnings from the German Weather Service and local measurement data) and processes it in a targeted manner. In future, both care staff and residents of the care facility will be reached via specific channels of the in-house information system and informed about the need for action.
Examples:
- Request to keep windows closed
- Reminder for fluid intake, adjustment of meal plans (light food)
- Adjustment of times for rehab and course programmes (cool evening and morning hours)
Public Relations
Residents, employees, relatives as well as interested parties, public authorities and other care facilities are informed about the concept, implemented measures and lessons learnt:
- Print media and website
- Organisation of workshops with relevant interest groups and associations to present the transferability of the results and findings
These measures will significantly increase the comfort of residents in times of increasing climate change.
Further information on the Climate Change Adaptation funding programme and HaP project data can be found on the HaP website (Link).
New funding programme for climate adaptation measures in social institutions
The BMU funding programme "Climate adaptation in social institutions" (abbreviation in German:AnPaSo) is endowed with € 150 million and is part of the COVID-19 economic stimulus package.
Eligibility criteria
Both public and private sector social institutions, i.e. municipalities, non-profit associations as well as organisations and companies active in the health and social sector, are eligible to apply. To be eligible to apply, the applicant must be legally independent.
This includes, for example:
- Hospitals
- Nursing and care homes for the elderly or hospices
- Kindergartens and schools
- Neighbourhood centres or refugee and homeless facilities, etc.
Objectives of the programme
The BMU wants to contribute to this with the help of this funding programme:
- mitigate acute climatic stress in social facilities
- protect particularly vulnerable population groups, such as those in need of care or chronically ill, children and young people or the elderly
- improve the conditions for work and care in social institutions
- to enable comprehensive preparation for future climatic changes.
What is funded
- Consultancy and concept development (funding priority 1)
- Initial or orientation counselling (funding priority 1.1)
- Creation of a comprehensive overall concept (funding priority 1.2)
- Investments (funding priority 2), e.g.
(the prerequisite for funding investment measures is usually prior consultation/concept development in accordance with funding priority 1)- Measures on the building, such as shading, window replacement
- Measures in the building, such as systems for passive room cooling
- Measures in outdoor areas, such as street and courtyard greening
- Campaigns and further training (funding priority 3)
- Training and counselling services
- Series of events for information and education
How much funding is available?
The funding rates are between 75% and 90% depending on the funding priority and the applicant. Non-economically active organisations (municipalities/non-profit companies) receive higher funding rates.
Project applications can be submitted to the project management organisation Zukunft-Umwelt-Gesellschaft (ZUG) gGmbH (Link).
Customised concept development
We would also be happy to support you in developing a customised climate adaptation strategy tailored to your specific needs or in submitting a corresponding project application.
Of course, we are also available to you personally - please get in touch with our contact person for climate adaptation:
Dr. Jörg-W. Fromme