Developed by IKEA, BoKlok and the Silviahemmet Foundation, SilviaBo offers housing specifically designed for people living with dementia. In Sweden, the initiative aims to preserve independence and enable couples to continue living together in a safe, supportive environment.
- The SilviaBo project was launched in 2015 at the initiative of Queen Silvia of Sweden.
- IKEA, BoKlok and the Silviahemmet Foundation combined their expertise to develop dementia-friendly housing.
- The concept aims to help couples continue living together despite a dementia diagnosis.
- A two-room demonstration apartment featuring assistive technologies and smart home solutions is expected to be completed soon.
- The proximity of a day care centre is designed to support the independence of people living with dementia while making it easier for their loved ones to provide care.
SilviaBo: A Project Born from the Desire to Keep Couples Together
Can a home be adapted to the challenges of dementia without disrupting the daily routines and familiar surroundings of those affected? Launched in 2015, the SilviaBo project was built around this ambition: to enable people living with cognitive impairments to remain in a familiar environment, alongside their spouse or partner, for as long as possible.
The initiative was spearheaded by Queen Silvia of Sweden, Chair of the Silviahemmet Foundation, who wanted to find a practical solution to the difficulties faced by couples when one partner develops dementia. Her meeting with Ingvar Kamprad, the founder of IKEA, helped turn this vision into reality. Inspired by Silviahemmet’s work, Kamprad expressed his desire to support the development of specially adapted housing.
The concept subsequently took shape through a collaboration combining the Silviahemmet Foundation’s expertise in dementia care, BoKlok’s experience in residential construction and IKEA’s knowledge of interior design.
“For many years, I had been thinking about a solution that would allow couples to avoid being separated when one partner develops dementia, enabling them to continue living together as before. My meeting with Ingvar Kamprad was the starting point. He wanted to support the idea of creating safe, adapted housing.”
Queen Silvia of Sweden, Chair of the Silviahemmet Foundation and founder of SilviaBo
A Demonstration Apartment Designed to Make Everyday Life Safer
The SilviaBo concept centres on a conventional two-room apartment with a kitchen, thoughtfully designed to meet the specific needs of people living with dementia. The aim is to provide a familiar, comfortable living environment without recreating the institutional atmosphere of a residential care facility.
The proximity of a Silviahemmet day care centre is another key feature of the initiative. It is intended to help residents maintain their independence while providing additional support for family members and caregivers. Located in Drottningholmsmalmen, near the Silviahemmet day care centre, the demonstration apartment is expected to be completed soon.
It will incorporate a range of assistive technologies and smart home solutions, including both analogue and digital systems, designed to improve safety and make everyday activities easier. Through this approach, SilviaBo seeks to combine accessible, adapted housing with innovative technologies to help people living with dementia remain in their own homes for longer.
A Concept Attracting Interest Beyond Sweden
In January 2020, SilverEco had already reported on SilviaBo and its prefabricated housing designed for older adults. The original initiative, developed by IKEA and BoKlok in collaboration with Silviahemmet, had a broader objective: to create accessible homes for people living with disabilities or experiencing a loss of independence.
The latest development of the concept places a more specific emphasis on people living with dementia and on preserving the ability of couples affected by the condition to continue sharing their lives and their home.
“There is considerable interest in SilviaBo, both nationally and internationally. The SilviaBo housing concept was presented at the H22 exhibition in Helsingborg and is part of a major British research study conducted by the University of Stirling in Scotland.”
Wilhelmina Hoffman, Director of the Silviahemmet Foundation
The initiative is now attracting international attention. According to Wilhelmina Hoffman, Director of the Silviahemmet Foundation, the concept has been showcased at the H22 exhibition in Helsingborg and included in a British research study conducted by the University of Stirling in Scotland. This growing interest highlights the importance of housing solutions that combine safety, independence and dementia support without automatically requiring people to leave their homes or live apart from their partners.
Published by the Editorial Staff on