The economic crisis comes to homes and reduce their levels of occupancy.

Occupancy has fallen by 10% in the last five years.

- Average occupancy in the area of larger homes has fallen almost 5% between 2007 and 2006.

- The number of workers in residential growth is greater than the number of users.

- Euskoges faces the crisis by implementing management systems, quality and investment.

- "At the moment we must promote the values and services of the residence by management systems to cope with the situation," says Gabirel of Azaola manager Euskoges.


The factors are varied, but the residential sector for older people is being affected by the current economic crisis. Official data indicate a decrease in average occupancy at these sites up to 10% in the last five years. In fact, between 2007 and 2006 the average occupancy in residential and day care centers in Bizkaia fell almost 5%.

Asked about the issue of Gabirel Azaola, manager of Euskoges Group, says that the causes that have led to this situation are diverse. "We must take into account the increased offer. The number of places offered has grown over the number of seats occupied. " However, Euskoges-group they belong to the residential neighborhood and the residence Barrika Kirikiño Bilbao, has managed to maintain their occupancy levels above the industry average "through differentiation in service quality and investment."

The increase in prices in this area has also been decisive. In this sense, Gabirel Azaola points of change that has occurred in the subsidy schemes of residential places, a factor that was a slowdown in the number of requests for such places. The previous system gave support sunk after completing requirements. Now, the public is the owner of the square and provides the service upon request, generating an acknowledgment of debt for which you paid on the basis of available assets. "This led to a fall in applications for aid, especially two years ago, but has been corrected."

Even the new Act Unit assumed "some brake on the number of new users, since many people had been pending for their rights, which could receive aid, and in this sense," the new aid to informal caregivers can delay the entry in residence. "

Investing in times of crisis

Seated against the thought of "tighten their belts" when the economic situation is favorable, from a Euskoges still more focused on the forecast. "It's important to bring forward the investment and be prepared for times of crisis. In this way, the company becomes stronger and can take advantage, or at least cope with the situation in the best possible way, "says Gabirel of Azaola. Group Euskoges already invested $ 150,000 of the 300,000 expected by 2009 to improve facilities and management of their schools.

The work and commitment is reflected Euskoges with several awards: ISO 9001-2000 (Quality) in the care of older people (May 2006), ISO 14000-2004 Environment (May 2006), ISO 9001-2000 Certification the management of food in the schools themselves by Cuisine Cantabrica GASC (September 2007), Diploma Euskalit Foundation for its commitment to total quality management and excellent proven (October 2007).

The number of workers grows over the user

The data on direct care staff have been accounted for 3569 workers in residential Vizcaya, an increase of 15.31% compared to 2006. This increase is remarkable when one considers the number of users has grown by only 5.49%. For professional categories, the group with higher weight in homes, community housing and day care centers is gerocultor - assistant.

According to official figures until December 31, 2007 in Bizkaia there are 142 senior centers that offer a total of 9002 seats. These figures represent an increase over the previous year of 8.40% in number of residences and 7.98% in seats.

Bilbao meets 28% of total residential places (2,558 places), but the county with the highest number of seats is Busturia-specific Uribe with 30% (2,709 seats). In those areas where facilities are located Euskoges: Residence Kirikiño (Bilbao) and the Residence Barrika Barri.

While the total of places in residential Bizkaia increased by 7.98%, the population over 65 years grew by 1.75%. Thus, the degree of coverage of places on this population reaches 4.07% in Bizkaia. Regarding the coverage residential places (including homes, supervised community housing and apartments), the coverage is at 4.60%.

With regard to the rates in this sector, Bizkaia reach more than 2200 euros a month. For its part, the average monthly public cost for dependents at a place agreed to over 2,000 euros last year.