Senior living facilities
When it comes to renovating a senior living facility, there are a few things which must be considered, such as wide space living areas, inclusion of ramps and lifts, soft edge furniture, appliances that are easy to use and so on.
The main priority is generally safety and security, but there are a few design elements that can be included:
- Have a fixed timeline. When it comes to renovating or reconstructing an existing senior living facility it is crucial that the construction companies have a proper plan in place since it might be difficult for senior citizens to adjust to new places or schedule changes.
- Talk to the residents. Before commencing the renovation process, it is important to talk to the people who live and work there. If anything is impractical or unnecessary, then it can be removed from the design. Moreover, it fosters an environment of trust and reassures the inhabitants that they are in safe hands.
- Put comfort over style. There are a few design elements which are necessary when it comes to senior living facilities. For instance, chairs should offer comfort and support, toilets should have senior appropriate heights and handles, wheelchair access should be a priority and necessities should be close by.
- Take advantage of technology. Technology can be incorporated as means for ensuring safety through motion sensors (used to alert the staff of unexpected resident activity), digital medication dispensers and devices used for increased communication and entertainment purposes.
- Maintain the facility adequately. Proper facility management is important for the continued safety and comfort of the inhabitants.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Costs and insolvencies mount for SMEs, despite growth
Construction sector under insolvency and wage bill pressure in part linked to National Insurance, says report.
The place for vitrified clay pipes in modern infrastructure
Why vitrified clay pipes are reclaiming their role in built projects.
Research by construction PR consultancy LMC published.
Roles and responsibilities of domestic clients
ACA Safety in Construction guide for domestic clients.
Fire door compliance in UK commercial buildings
Architect and manufacturer gives their low down.
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.