ARCHITECTURE IN SENIOR LIVING: A SHIFT IN DESIGN

Prepared by: Julia Allen

THE TRADITIONAL DESIGN

Traditional senior living architectural design brings to mind a hospital style nursing home, filled with ageing individuals and bingo games in a quiet room. Most of the interior design includes corporate or hospital square rooms, thick carpet, cold tiles, shared rooms, perhaps with a curtain divider, and not a lot of room for visitors or belongings. Perhaps you even stop to think, “Where is the yard? Where is the walking spaces or outside areas?”

THE NEW DESIGN STYLE Ageing individuals and their families spend a good amount of money on assisted living care and are starting to say no to the traditional nursing homes and their caregiving styles. The new standard for Senior Living Design is changing dramatically and quickly. Backed by research, and individual preferences, there is a shift in thought regarding the design and building for Senior Living. Science proves that memory is improved by exercise, light, being outdoors and feeling a sense of community. These features are exactly what individuals and loved ones are seeking out and demanding.

Hospitality-style design is in: Gone are the days of a cold institutional looking building with small windows and carpeted common room. Individuals are looking for open, bright spaces with hardwood floors, bright colors and a contemporary hotel feel.

Privacy and Options: Individuals are looking at the facility as a ‘home for life’ and desire options. They want a choice between an apartment, semi-shared “executive suite” style living or private condo homes on-site. They are also seeking fee options at different price points for services. For example, full care or minimal care or a private condo home with access to activities and care on-site.

Technology: Ageing individuals are looking for a facility that will meet the technological requirements for wireless health equipment, monitors that manage medicine dispensers and other technology that can be applied to their units.

Activities: Families are looking for a sense of home and community for their loved ones and individuals want more than bingo. Facilities should have amenities such as pools for aerobics, fitness rooms, walking paths, courtyards and community rooms that are very bright and inviting for group activities.

Sustainable Design: To assist with the cost, owners are seeking out sustainable designs that will lower costs overall and improve the quality of life at the facility. Using sustainable ideas for improved air quality, lighting features, gardens and fountains on-site.

TOP 5 DESIGN MUST-HAVE’S

Source: http://www.bdcnetwork.com/