There are many factors we have to keep in mind when designing an assisted living with a purpose. First and foremost, we have to think about, who are we designing for? The residents are the most important part of a senior living facility. All design factors should cater to the wellbeing of the resident. Elizabeth Brawley stated, “assisted living facilities must change to become real homes, with neighborhoods and a sense of community designed to appeal the evolving tastes of the baby boom generation.”

So how are we able to design a community that will appeal and become more functional to our seniors as they age?  Let’s think about the color scheme, having a community with warm tones, wood and stone elements will give the facility a “homey” feel. A contrast between the color of the wall and the door will make it easier for the resident to find their room. If there are certain doors you don’t want the resident to go into, having the walls and door color blend helps them bypass the door. In addition, a well-designed facility should have a variety of interior and exterior places that will allow the resident to either have an intimate or a group setting.

Hallways are also a very big factor when designing a facility. One thing I have noticed when visiting a large community, they tend to have these elongated hallways that anyone can easily get lost in. Providing a resident with multiple destinations that will lead them to either an activity room or a library will decrease the possibility of elopement. If a facility has an elongated hallway, make sure to design a space at the end of the hallway that will allow the resident to become engage and not make them feel like they can’t go somewhere.

When choosing a type of floor, having muted colors throughout helps it not become a distraction. There should always be a contrast between the color of the floor and the furniture, to decrease fall risk. Also, try to buy furniture that will allow the resident to sit down and get up without assistance, so residents feel like they still have their independence. Moving along to designing a dining space. Each level of a facility should have an open dining space that will allow the resident to see and speak to a chef, as well as see the chef prepare their meal. Having a dining space on each floor can help stimulate their appetite, the engagement and the experience of a resident because they are able to smell the food from their rooms.

Furthermore, having natural lighting thought the facility is very important. It can stimulate a senior’s cognitive ability and functionality. Residents tend to do better and sometimes you are able to see progress in them. In conclusion, when designing a senior living facility, we have to always keep the resident in mind. We want the facility to allow them to age in place and also help them have the best experience.

North Star Senior Advisors tours several assisted living facilities with our clients on a daily basis. Some people search for communities on their own and tend to look at the aesthetics of the building. Of course, this is important because we want our loved one in a beautiful environment. When touring, also consider the design of the building and why the owner may have chosen the colors they did!

Developers are currently designing facilities for Baby Boomers. Imagine what an assisted living facility will look like for generation XYZ? I envision more technology, iPads, Wifi, telehealth, Starbucks coffee, senior Uber rides for alternative options for transportation, ATM machines in hallways, most definitely convenient social media apps accessible, selfie sticks, and Netflix! Can you think of anything you’d want to see in your future home away from home?

-Mari Diaz, Administrative & Marketing Assistant

Do you need assistance with designing your assisted living facility? email Mari@northstarsa.com for more information.

Source: https://www.wbdg.org/resources/interior-design-research-facilities