The market for medicalised retirement homes - Portugal

A nursing home, is a structure that welcomes people over 60 years of age who are physically and/or mentally dependent demanding permanent supervision by a medical team. This medical facility offers individual or collective rooms and also offers assistance with daily life as well as personalized medical care, catering, laundry services, entertainment, etc. In Portugal, we find the terms of "Lar para idosos" (home for the elderly), which are residential facilities, guaranteeing and providing food, health care, hygiene and comfort. These are also called places of stimulation and cohabitation, where lderly people can spend their free time through social activities. There are also the "Residências para idosos" (retirement homes), which are similar to homes, but with the privacy of a single room or a studio. The nursing home sector has been growing rapidly over the past 10 years. This is explained by the ageing population as well as the increase in illnesses. This phenomenon is pronounced as binding regulations create a barrier for new entrants. The potential clientele of nursing homes is constantly increasing and new trends are arising, such as premium services, more independency and precautions regarding COVID-19 and flue infections. Institutions must adapt to these structural changes in order to attract people who are still afraid of leaving home. Besides all the difficulties present to enter this market, there is still an enormous margin for it to grow.