Local centres gather services
The 37 local centres run by the City of Aarhus constitute one single point of access to all municipal services for elderly citizens. All local centres offer a wide range of services, both for those elderly who require no or little care and those who require a lot. The services include care, cleaning, food and exercise as well as social activities.
Independent referral coordinator
The needs of each elderly person are assessed by an independent referral coordinator, and the local centres will then provide the assistance. This is the so-called ‘order/executor model’. The elderly person or his or her close relatives can contact the referral coordinator themselves. The City Council decides on the minimum standards for public services for the elderly.
Free choice between private and public services
For a number of services, the elderly can choose between private and public sector offers. Performing about 10 per cent share of the work, the cleaning area in particular is seeing many private sector providers. Irrespective of whether the citizen opts for the private or public sector provider, the municipality will pay for the part of the service to which the citizen is entitled following the assessment made by the referral coordinator.
Partnerships with associations
400 associations in Aarhus organise events for the elderly – card clubs, dancing, lectures etc. The City offers assistance to the associations by informing them of their services and by providing premises and funding.
Extensive user democracy
A large number of committees and councils ensure that the elderly can voice their opinion on municipal matters. The Senior Citizens Council has a right of consultation within many areas, and, in addition, there are user panels at the local centres, panels for relatives of residents and a complaints board. The Aarhus model for citizen involvement represents a strong tradition for dialogue with citizens.
Intelligent housing
New technology paves the way for intelligent housing, enabling the citizens to remain in their own homes using technological aids. In future, intelligent housing for the elderly will be one of the development projects of the City of Aarhus.