In recent years, the difference between "asilos" and "ILPIs" (Long-Term Care Institutions for the Elderly) has been a source of confusion and debate. It's time to demystify this issue and understand the nuances that distinguish these terms.

Historically, asylums emerged in the 18th century, initially known as "homes for the disabled". In 1794, these institutions began to focus exclusively on the elderly. However, welfare predominated, reflecting the increase in the number of needy elderly people who depended on such places. The Catholic Church, for its part, developed asylum work, largely to house elderly priests and nuns who, without families, needed a place to live. These places, intended for abandoned elderly people without resources, acquired a negative connotation. The term "asylum" began to evoke images of abandonment and neglect.

Today, more than 200 years later, a lot has changed. The need for a specialized place to care for and house the elderly has become essential, not just for the abandoned, but for everyone who needs special care or who, due to safety or disability, can no longer live alone. ILPIs, or Long Stay Institutions for the Elderly, have emerged as pillars of care, safety and quality of life. Living in an ILPI can, in fact, significantly improve the quality of life of the elderly.

But the question remains: Are asylums and ILPIs the same thing? To illustrate, let's think of the difference between a public school and a private school. Both are schools, with the same basic purpose, but they offer very different experiences. Public schools generally offer the basics, while private schools vary in quality and resources, from the most affordable to the most luxurious, with instruction in several languages, state-of-the-art technology, air conditioning, sophisticated food and much more. Similarly, some nursing homes can be more like high-end ILPIs, while others keep to the bare minimum.

The change in terminology that has accompanied this evolution - from "nursing home" to terms such as "retirement home", "home for the elderly", "geriatric hotel", "senior residence" - reflects a profound transformation in the perception and role of these institutions. The traditional nursing home system, with its historical burden of abandonment and exclusion, is being replaced by a model of care that values the dignity and well-being of the elderly. Families, increasingly aware of the importance of a welcoming and safe environment, are driving the growth of a market that not only meets current needs, but also anticipates the significant increase in the elderly population over the coming decades.

What was once seen as a solution for the most needy is now a fundamental part of our society's care infrastructure, a growing sector which, over the next ten years, could become essential for the well-being of an increasingly ageing world population.