Slovenia develops an innovative global traveling prodcut

The Slovenian company that established a strong network of budget transport that connects Slovenia to its neighbouring countries and especially their airports has developed a new, innovative product that has strong global potential. It`s called LinkedAge and addresses the growing population of seniors, encouraging them to travel and socialise.

LinkedAge is a communication tool enabling seniors worldwide to exchange their accommodations facilities in various regions over the world, thus promoting elderly mobility and travel, networking and social inclusion.

Namely, demographic forecasts indicate that, in 2060, the OECD member states will have three times more 80-year-old people than current numbers and that almost 40 per cent of people will be above 65 years of age. However, the elderly are increasingly more dynamic, inquisitive and interested in meeting new people and visiting new places.

LinkedAge is based on two concepts. Initially, the application enables the free exchange of an apartment or room with the same accommodation in some other country or town that an elderly person would like to visit. The system operates in such a way that it seeks the same profiles. For instance, if the seeker is a disabled person, the system will provide only accommodation suitable for disabled people. The exchange will also be available to those who are accommodated in institutional social infrastructure, such as protected apartments and nursing homes.

Another concept is the sales of free accommodation facilities for a short period. LinkedAge will also include memberships to universities of the third age, organisations for home care, newspapers for the elderly and similar. Their members will also be able to use LinkedAge.

Even though 25 to 35 per cent of accommodation facilities for the elderly in OECD countries are available, there is still no such tool in Europe or elsewhere in the world. LinkedAge will operate in a similar way as does booking.com for hotel reservations, except that the services will be adjusted to the needs of the elderly.

In this way, European communities of protected apartments and nursing homes will obtain a tool through which they will be able to offer available accommodation on the wider European and world market – in other words, outside their country, while their occupants will be able to travel in a simple, friendly and safe way. Management personnel of protected apartments will manage the use of the LinkedAge application, including communication with possible exchange candidates.

The largest European association of directors of nursing homes, E. D. E. (European Association for Directors and Providers of Long-Term Care Services for the Elderly), which includes 32 thousand nursing homes, has shown interest in the project.

For more information about LinkedAge visit the LinkedAge homepage.

The authors of the product claim the following:

It’s true that no man is an island; we thrive on relationships, with our friends, colleagues, relatives and family members. We all need a sense of belonging to someone or somewhere, of oneness with other human beings; this is why we socialize. And although we tend to interact with others during our teenage and early adult years, we need an active social life more than ever as we grow old. If you’re in your 60s or 70s, it’s important that you maintain a strong network of friends, family and acquaintances.

Meeting people and socializing on a regular basis makes you feel happier and more content with your life. You have a sense of purpose and a reason to live. When you’re alone, you tend to feel depressed and sad, especially if you’re not busy. Meeting friends and acquaintances helps boost your mood and puts you in a better frame of mind.

Today, it’s easier to make friends and socialize because there’s a whole new world out there – the Internet, which will allow you to search and decide what culture you would like most to experience and learn about.

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