Scalability of the ‘Como en Casa’ care model in residential care homes for older people: a prospective analysis

‘Como en Casa’ is a pilot project developed as part of the National Strategy for Deinstitutionalisation towards a New Model of Community Care. Designed by Matia Fundazioa, it aims to transform care in residential care homes for older people by creating personalised, homely and rights-based living environments, organised into small communal units and supported by a thorough review of physical spaces, the culture of care, the community-based approach and professional practices.

As part of the project, the economic feasibility of transforming residential care homes for older people using this model was studied, and the economic implications of the change in model in aggregate terms are examined in this article. Looking ahead to 2030, the projected increase in expenditure resulting from the implementation of the new model is analysed, with various roll-out scenarios considered.

For each scenario, the estimated expenditure is compared with that which would result from projecting the continuation of the current mix of residential care models.