by Redazione FriuliOggi
Major EUR 200 million investment plan to open 20 new facilities
The sector of residences for the elderly in Italy is experiencing a phase of great expansion, driven by the progressive ageing of the population. According to forecasts, by 2030 28% of Italians will be over 65, an age beyond which the need for care and assistance increases significantly.
This is the context for the growth strategy of Sereni Orizzonti, the Friuli-based group founded by Massimo Blasoni, which is now the second private operator in Italy in the sector of Assisted Living Facilities (RSAs), with 91 facilities spread across Italy and Spain for a total of over 6,000 beds.
An ambitious plan for the future
As revealed in a recent interview with Wall Street Italia magazine, the company has planned a major expansion programme with the goal of reaching 10,000 beds by 2028. In order to reach this goal, Sereni Orizzonti has planned investments of 200 million euro, aimed at opening 20 new facilities, mainly located in central-northern Italy.
"We want to build and open more RSAs, to offer beds in territories that are historically lacking them," said Blasoni, emphasising the key role of CEO Gabriele Meluzzi and the development team in the realisation of this ambitious plan.
A distinctive business model
What distinguishes Sereni Orizzonti from most of its competitors is its integrated model. The company does not limit itself to facility management, but deals with the entire cycle: design, construction and subsequent management of the residences, which may be built from scratch, acquired from third parties or managed in concession by public bodies.
This approach allowed the company to close 2023 with revenues of around EUR 220 million, consolidating its leadership position in a market that in Italy still appears very fragmented compared to Northern European countries, where considerably larger players operate.
New solutions to respond to welfare challenges
The growth of the elderly population, accompanied by the reduction of public resources allocated to welfare, poses significant challenges for the future. According to Blasoni, it is necessary to develop new public-private partnerships that go beyond the current system, in which the National Health Fund only covers 50% of the RSA fee.
The German model, with an additional contribution for all employees to support the care costs of dependent elderly people, is an interesting example of how to address these challenges in a systemic way.
Beyond RSAs: the future of senior living
Looking to the future, Sereni Orizzonti is monitoring with interest the evolution of the 'senior living' market, a model already widespread in the United States and Northern European countries, which represents an alternative to traditional nursing homes for the self-sufficient elderly.
These facilities, generally consisting of private flats with reception and active health care, also offer spaces for common activities such as restaurants, bars, spas and gyms. An environment that allows the elderly to maintain an active lifestyle and their privacy while benefiting from dedicated services.
"Senior living represents an interesting opportunity to be taken into account," Blasoni concluded, "and that is why we are following the potential developments in our country as well.
In an increasingly ageing Italy, the vision and investments of groups like Sereni Orizzonti represent not only a business opportunity, but a concrete response to one of the most significant social challenges of the coming decades.
The article is available at the following link 👇