Design of assisted living facilities shifts to meet boomer tastes, needs

Design trends in assisted living facilities are evolving to blend home and hospitality finishes and amenities while using evidence-based design to refine strategies.

By Healthcare Facilities Today


Design trends in assisted living facilities are evolving to blend home and hospitality finishes and amenities while using evidence-based design to assess the strategies that actually benefit seniors.

More seniors are staying home for longer, says an article in Healthcare Design, so assisted living facilities are changing their amenities to make the transition from home to institution as seamless as possible.   

Trends include providing dining facilities with a restaurant-like feel and which support social interaction, such as a bar, bistro or ice cream parlor. Facility amenities are also borrowing from hospitality with sports facilities, art gallery space, general stores, and on-site health services.

However, designers are recognizing that people don't want to live long-term in a hotel and so must strike a balance between high-end finishes and treatments while still being residential.

Research is also being used to evaluate resident's preferences and needs. According to the article, one study found that color and pattern by themselves are not sufficient wayfinding mechanisms with a senior population, which needs more unique visual cues. A connection to familiar faces has also been found to be important in assisted living.

And unlike assisted living facilities of the past, current designs must be technologically savvy both to support resident's wireless technology needs and electronic medical records.

Read the article.


April 15, 2013


Topic Area: Interior Design


Recent Posts

Seeking Standards for Microbial Loads in Healthcare Facilities

Why is there no binding standard for the acceptable microbial load on surfaces or in the air in hospitals?


UCR Health Unveils Plans for Major Expansion

The vision for the site will include an outpatient diagnostic center and possible future expansion.


High-Performance Windows Support Safety at UW Medicine's New Behavioral Health Center

Case study: Engineered for strength, quiet and daylight, the chosen windows help create a safe, calming and energy-efficient environment for patients and providers.


Central Maine Healthcare Dealing with IT System Outage

The organization identified unusual activity within their computer software, prompting them to secure and shut off all IT systems.


Kaiser Permanente Opens Newly Expanded Everett Medical Center

The facility offers primary care and pediatric care and has specialty care departments.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.