The Nestling Project – A collaborative initiative between the Louth Local Authorities, Dundalk Town Council, Health Services Executive (North East Area), and Dundalk Institute of Technology. The sponsors are joined in the initiative by the University of Ulster and the National Centre for Sensor Research at Dublin City University. Significant funding has been also been provided by Atlantic Philanthropies.

The project’s goal is the development of a Centre of Excellence for the promotion of community-oriented models for independent living and ‘ageing in place’. It aims to provide environments that promote and sustain independence and well-being for older people through the fusion of innovative spatial, technology and integrated community care-based approaches.

This will be achieved through the following objectives:

•    To develop an integrated care demonstration model in Dundalk, primarily a 16 unit pilot ‘aware’ homes project called Great Northern Haven.

•    To build capability through evidence development, innovation, awareness and continuous process improvement.

•    To grow the project’s reach and impact through geographic expansion, service intensification, advocacy and public policy development.

•    To develop a sustainable business model for continued growth

It is hoped that the outputs will help influence the quality of new housing provision going forward and the adaptation of existing homes for aging-in-place, the more effective, joined-up, organisation and delivery of services to older people in their homes.  The models should also be expandable to other target groups such as those with physical or intellectual disabilities.