Those considering senior living options for themselves or a loved one appreciate having many choices. They’re looking for a home-like atmosphere and are often willing to pay a higher entry fee to receive quality services.
Taking a cue from hotels, many communities are creating environments that feel much more welcoming than traditional nursing homes. These design elements include:
Sense of Community
Senior living facilities Missouri must cater to residents and make them feel at home. This means that hallways should be comfortable apart, brightly painted rooms in inviting colors, and various activities to help promote social interaction. It also means the facility should look more like an exclusive resort than a poorly lit nursing home.
In one study, researchers surveyed seniors about their experiences with unwritten social rules and groups within their senior housing community. The open-ended responses were then analyzed using thematic coding.
This research relies heavily on self-report data and may only capture part of the full range of experience. However, it can provide an initial understanding of supporting social interactions and reducing feelings of stigma or othering in senior housing communities. In addition, it can inform the design of life plan communities to promote a sense of belonging. In turn, this can lead to reduced stress and healthier cognitive function.
Personalization
Residents can personalize their living spaces with art, rugs, and other decor to add color and texture. Many seniors enjoy tending to indoor gardens and houseplants, offering a sense of purpose and connection with the natural world.
Because senior citizens often have physical impairments, designers can incorporate design elements that make life more comfortable. For example, latch-style door handles are more accessible for people with arthritis to grasp. In addition, rocker-type light switches are more user-friendly than flip-switch models.
To help new residents recognize their rooms as their own, designers can also place permanent frames on or near doors to hang photos or other memorabilia. Additionally, designers can use a more open-concept layout in assisted living and memory care units to reduce visual confusion in long hallways. This allows people to move around quickly without being slowed down by too many transitions between areas. Additionally, they can build a home-like feel by providing smaller community rooms, a grab-and-go salad bar, or a coffee shop for residents to interact in smaller groups.
Adaptability
Many seniors don’t view moving to a senior living facility as ending their lives; they want to live their lives to the fullest. Considering this, savvy senior living operators are designing spaces for purposeful engagement.
For example, incorporating natural lighting and other green design elements promotes the health and well-being of both staff and residents. Natural light also helps set circadian rhythms, improving sleep patterns and reducing anxiety.
Another critical component to consider is a sense of privacy. Seniors want to be able to receive care from their caregivers in private rather than in public view. This is important not only for their emotional well-being but also to maintain their dignity and independence.
Remembering that every senior living community is a workplace is also essential. This means that senior living designers must incorporate features that foster a healthy work environment for staff. This could include well-appointed breakrooms, showers to encourage exercise, and even mothers’ rooms that enable staff members to escape burnout.
Aesthetics
The best architectural design firms understand that senior living environments are not only about practicality and accessibility. They are also about creating visually appealing spaces that stimulate engagement, socialization, and cognitive development.
The right color palette can make a space feel inviting and comforting to residents. Carpet may seem inviting but can create tripping hazards for seniors, so flooring with anti-slip features is recommended. Rugs should also be low in a pile to avoid catching on wheelchair wheels.
Simple decorations are preferred to knick-knacks that can quickly become clutter and cause confusion or falling hazards. Instead, simple designs and wall art like family photos can help to calm the environment. Lighting is a crucial component, and many senior living facilities are moving away from harsh fluorescent lights to more natural light in common areas and individual apartments. Amber light is recommended for memory care, as it helps to orient residents and can trigger specific memories and habits.