Government of the Principality of Monaco

09/15/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/16/2025 08:45

Innovation: smart housing simulator to support independent living

Left to right: Benoîte Rousseau de Sevelinges, Director of the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace, Caroline Rougaignon-Vernin, Chair of the CHPG Board of Directors, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, Founder and Chair of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation and generous donor, Christophe Robino, Minister of Health and Social Affairs, Dr Sandrine Louchart de la Chapelle, Head of the Geriatric Department, Dr Alain Alvado, Head of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department. ©CHPG

In a major step forward for supporting dependent patients and their carers, on 15 September 2025, Princess Grace Hospital (CHPG) opened a new smart housing simulator in its geriatrics department.

Designed like a modular, show-home style apartment, it recreates a realistic domestic environment where patients and carers can assess their functional capabilities, learn adapted daily living techniques, and reduce risks at home using new technologies.

The project was made possible by a generous €150,000 donation from the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, led by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, a long-standing supporter of the CHPG.

The smart apartment, which opened for use in September, is an important part of the CHPG's strategy for 2025-2030, prioritising improvements to the patient experience.

Just like a real home

The smart housing simulator looks and feels like a real home, with faithful reproductions of the main living areas - a bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. The space is fitted with modular and motorised furniture, so it can be adapted to suit each person's abilities. It also includes equipment designed to support people with mobility or sensory difficulties.

Different zones in the simulator allow staff to see how patients manage daily activities and to give them support based on their level of mobility and independence. The simulator is equipped with smart home technology, enabling staff to recreate everyday scenarios and analyse how patients use the space in those situations. The layout or facilities can then be adjusted to make the home safer and more comfortable.

The project has three main goals:

  • Assessing each person's abilities and identify situations where disability creates barriers;
  • Helping patients to return home with tailored advice, adaptations and strategies.
  • Reducing risks at home, especially the risk of falling.

It can also be used for therapeutic education sessions. These sessions give patients practical tools and knowledge to manage their condition better.

Helping patients stay independent for longer

The simulator is a valuable part of the patient pathway, including for those undergoing outpatient hospital care. It helps doctors and therapists carry out detailed assessments and design targeted support plans.

The overall aim is to help patients remain independent and ensure they are able to continue living in their own home safely for as long as possible.

The simulator is also a teaching resource. It is used to train, healthcare staff, students nurses and healthcare assistant students, and family carers. By practising real-life situations in a safe environment, carers and patients can learn good habits, test adapted solutions, and improve safety and independence for older people living in their own homes.

©CHPG

Government of the Principality of Monaco published this content on September 15, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 16, 2025 at 14:45 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]