Cooperative planned

New nursing home in its own neighborhood

The site has already been reserved: City Councillor for Finance Conny Kallaus and Mayor Brititte Ribisch.

(Bild: Stadtgemeinde Laa an der Thaya)

A new nursing home in the center, with buildings for assisted living right next to it: Laa an der Thaya is developing its own small district, which also includes building plots for young living. All in all, a mix that allows for many synergies and helps to save money. There are also plans to set up a cooperative to bundle small charitable activities throughout the town. 

According to a study by the Association of Municipalities, many local people want to contribute their talents to the community (reported in the "Krone"). In Laa an der Thaya, this is to take place in the long term in the form of a cooperative model, according to Brigitte Ribisch's plan: "A lot is already happening in the associations, but this is not exploiting the full potential," says the mayor of Laa an der Thaya.

Energy communities as a model
The plan is to set up a cooperative based on the model of energy communities, in which everyone can contribute their services according to their talents - from support with shopping to small technical assistance with a new television. "The aim of setting up a cooperative is to prevent profit from playing a role," says the city manager. Anyone who contributes their share and thus "pays into the pot" will be reimbursed later if they need help themselves."

In addition to the nursing and care services, regional projects can become role models for other regions.

Landesrätin Christiane Teschl-Hofmeister

The care home site project 
For the time being, however, the focus is on an existing site where a new care home is to be built - the district also includes the construction of assisted living units in order to keep costs and effort low with short distances. In a third instance, housing estates are also planned in order to strengthen the community - young and old. According to Ribisch, future users of the new offer could be people who are still independent but whose house has become too big for them.

There are even plans for a veterinary clinic on the 50,000-square-meter site. "The overall bundle of measures aims to ease the burden on public budgets," Ribisch sums up.