The Princess Grace Hospital Centre in Monaco has launched a state-of-the-art connected home simulator designed to help older patients and those with reduced autonomy live more safely and independently.
Unveiled on Monday, September 15 within the hospital’s geriatric unit, the innovative space replicates the layout of a real apartment, complete with bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. The goal is to assess patients’ functional abilities, teach adapted daily routines and reduce risks at home, particularly falls – a leading cause of injury among the elderly.
Funded by a €150,000 donation from the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, founded by easyJet pioneer Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the project is a key milestone in CHPG’s 2025–2030 development plan, which puts patient experience front and centre.
The simulator, built as a modular two-room apartment, features adjustable and motorised furniture alongside equipment adapted to motor and sensory impairments. Integrated smart-home technology allows staff to test different scenarios, tailor the set-up to each patient’s needs, and strike the right balance between comfort and safety.
Beyond assessment, the space supports therapeutic education sessions that help patients take ownership of their condition and adapt strategies for daily life. It also offers families and caregivers a chance to practise and learn the right techniques in realistic conditions.
The connected apartment is not just for inpatients. It will be used in day hospital programmes and rehabilitation pathways, where functional evaluations can lead to highly targeted support plans. Ultimately, the initiative aims to extend patients’ independence and enable them to remain at home for as long as possible.
There is also a strong educational component: nursing students, trainee care assistants and hospital staff will all be trained within the simulator, making it a tool not only for treatment but also for knowledge transfer. In the words of one hospital official, the new facility represents “a decisive step towards more personalised, proactive care that truly equips patients and caregivers for life beyond hospital walls.”
