Designing for Activities: The New Normal for Senior Living Post-Pandemic
A visiting physician’s office with built-in capabilities for telemedicine; an on-site rehab center with fitness and strengthening programs; an ice cream and coffee shop; a greenhouse where residents can grow flowers, fruit, and vegetables: these are just some of the potential options that attract new residents and keep existing ones engaged and active. In the design or renovation of a senior living community, understanding how spaces will be used for various activities is essential.
Since Dr. Bill Thomas established the Eden Alternative in 1991, there has been a growing movement toward creating more home-like spaces in senior living. At first, that mostly meant warmer colors, more comfortable furniture, and the presence of plants and animals. Over time this concept evolved to the idea of creating neighborhoods and communities with amenities such as beauty shops, nail salons, saunas, and music rooms. More recently, senior living communities are catering to younger, more independent residents who want to socialize, create, splurge, and relax; this means on-site coffeehouses, ice cream parlors, movie theaters, yoga studios, computer/technology rooms, and pet grooming rooms.
Even traditional amenities such as art studios and workshops have evolved. Increasingly, residents don’t just want a room with a few supplies. Serious and hobby artists alike appreciate fully-equipped art studios with proper lighting, space for paintings and other works to dry safely, sinks with running water, and shelves, drawers, and cabinets with a wide range of supplies and materials.
The pandemic has added a new element to designing for activities. For instance, residents and staff both want to ensure that these shared spaces, and everything in them, are kept clean and regularly sanitized. One option is to supplement traditional cleaning with the use of UV-C lighting (click here for more information) to clean and disinfect surfaces, possibly in tandem with providing stations of disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizers, gloves and fresh masks throughout each building. Consider that handwashing is key to safety these days, so have running water with soap in key locations. Ideally, residents shouldn’t have to leave the coffeehouse or art studio to wash their hands.
Also related to the pandemic, windows that open, more rooms with access to the outside, and self-contained HVAC units will help control the spread of germs and infectious diseases. Now that the concept of “physical distancing” is part of the new normal, rooms will need to be designed or renovated to safely accommodate small groups and discourage crowds.
Of course, not every community can feature every amenity. You need to know who your residents are and who you want to attract. The community’s location will have an impact. For instance, a building in the heart of New York City isn’t likely to have space for a large garden. Instead, an inside greenhouse or a partnership with a nearby community garden may be a more viable solution. Alternately, residents of a rural community are much more likely to expect access to open space—a sizeable external greenhouse or garden, extensive walking paths, and even perhaps a working farm.
Consider starting with a feasibility study. This should include a proposed budget and timeline. Then answer a few questions. Do you have the budget to accomplish your goals? What is the optimal size and dimensions of the desired space? Are there cost, planning, and design constraints might arise?
Next, set goals, needs, wishes, limitations, expectations, and aesthetics of the spaces. Determine what activities will be held in each room and outdoor spaces. Identify safety and security requirements and how these will be met. Outline planning/building department parameters. Identify noise concerns and other considerations that need to be addressed. Determine how access to each space will be managed. Pi Architects can help you work through these options.
Pi’s team can then create a preliminary layout and space program; address mechanical, electrical, and plumbing issues; answer civil and structural engineering questions; conduct code research; coordinate with regulatory agencies; and take other steps necessary to ensure your building and its spaces are beautiful, safe, practical, up to code, and popular among your residents.
Quality of life has long been a key part of senior living. This has taken on new meaning since the COVID pandemic hit. People need and want innovative ways to socialize, exercise, relax, pursue health care, and –generally – live their lives the way they want. The space you provide, the amenities you offer, and the steps you take to keep people safe and comfortable should keep up with the new normal of post-pandemic senior living.
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