Safety should be a top concern when looking for senior housing. Whether in an independent living apartment or an assisted care facility, a safe and comfortable environment is vital for your loved ones’ well-being.
Certified safety professionals recommend clear evacuation plans to assist with a smooth and timely response in an emergency. Also, ensure that walkways are free of tripping hazards like cords and rugs.
Layout
The layout of a senior housing facility, click here, should prioritize safety and comfort. The floor plan should include spaces that are easily accessible for seniors, with ample room to entertain guests and pursue hobbies. The layout should also encourage social interaction and a sense of home-likeness.
A senior cohousing community may be a good option for those who prefer more social living. Senior cohousing consists of a group of homes built together for senior adults who wish to live independently yet have access to care services if needed. This type of senior housing is usually very pet-friendly and often allows horses, goats, chickens, and other farm animals.
With healthcare staff shortages, Senior Living providers are trying to increase caregiver efficiency. It’s possible to do this by incorporating technical biophilic design patterns. For example, bringing natural sunlight and hardy plants to popular window spots can help promote health by improving air quality. Similarly, the use of materials that are natural and easy to clean can also improve worker productivity.
Lighting
Proper lighting in senior housing is vital to designing a safe and comfortable environment. As people age, their eyesight changes, significantly impacting their quality of life. Lighting should be carefully planned for older adults in senior living facilities, ensuring the correct amount of lumens is available in every room of a home.
Circadian lighting that is bright during the day and dims at night can help regulate healthy circadian rhythms, enhance mood, and improve sleep quality in residents. This is especially important for seniors who spend most or all their time indoors.
Massa advises looking for products with clean fabrics, antimicrobial finishes, and easy wipe-down characteristics in kitchens to make cleaning more efficient. LED fixtures are also a great option as they consume less energy and lower utility bills. In the case of a power failure, the ability to easily switch from regular to emergency power is also essential.
Floors
The floors must be safe and easy to maintain when designing a senior living community. A common flooring choice in these facilities is LVT (luxury vinyl tile), which is durable and has a high aesthetic quality. It is also easy to clean and germ-resistant. This type of floor is ideal for senior communities because it can easily withstand cart traffic and falls.
Area rugs should be avoided as they can easily bunch up or cause tripping hazards and are challenging to clean. High contrast patterns are also not a good idea for seniors, as they can confuse them and create the perception of steps or holes.
In addition to safety, the flooring must be comfortable and offer good traction for those on wheelchairs or walkers. Ideally, the flooring surface should be smooth and consistent throughout the facility, with zero height transitions between materials. This eliminates the risk of slippage, which can cause serious injury. This is especially important in the kitchen, mess hall, and bathrooms, where surfaces tend to get wet.
Furniture
When designing senior living furniture, healthcare-grade materials are essential. Look for products that are easy to clean and offer antimicrobial fabrics to keep bacterial growth to a minimum. Additionally, consider using seating and tables with a design that makes it easier to find the right spot for someone moving throughout the facility or struggling with visual orientation.
A typical resident room will include an extended care adjustable-height bed, a bedside nightstand, an overbed table, and a dresser. It is also helpful to have a seating area allowing a resident to sit comfortably in front of a TV or read a book. Adding a chest or ottoman with plenty of storage will enable the resident to stash items they don’t want on display in their apartment, further freeing up space for other things. This will make their apartment feel more home-like. And if the chest has enough storage, it can double as a seat when guests visit.
