8:30-9:30 a.m

136-J. International Perspectives: Providing “Invisible” Care for Urban Older Adults

Providers of public services for the ageing in the city of Ghent, Belgium, are taking steps to shift aged care back to local communities from large, centralized care settings. This session will explore how older adults, neighborhood residents, service providers, and policymakers in Ghent are coming together to investigate how providers might offer "invisible" aged care that fits seamlessly within the surrounding community. Their model would enable older people to live in staffed, small-scale houses near community centres offering additional amenities like green spaces, on-site grocery stores, restaurants, and childcare for neighborhood residents. Discover what it will take to implement a model that involves "giving care back to the community and bringing the community into care."

• Geert Roggeman, Managing Director, Het Heiveld, City of Ghent Public Services — Gent, Belgium
• Pascale Hulpiau, Head, Department of Health and Care, City of Ghent Public Services — Gent, Belgium