By Al Thompson and Antonio Rodriguez-Arguelles, Contributing Writers

The physical spaces in which primary healthcare is delivered matter and have the potential to affect patient outcomes, according to the National Institutes of Health. Thoughtfully designed healthcare environments can reduce stress, improve safety and enhance the overall experience for patients and caregivers. 

This is especially true when addressing the distinct needs of pediatric and geriatric populations — two groups that occupy opposite ends of the care spectrum. Yet both groups require specialized design considerations. Primary care providers and family practices commonly tend to patients of all ages, and while an individual’s medical needs change over time, there can be benefits to offering both pediatric and geriatric services in the same facility. Understanding the nuanced needs of both age groups is essential to creating supportive multi-generational environments. 

While it might seem logical to separate pediatric and geriatric care, integrating them enables better coordination among healthcare teams, ensures seamless care and fosters a holistic approach to treatment. Shared spaces, such as waiting areas, and communal areas such as lobbies, cafeterias and educational rooms, can be designed to accommodate both groups, promoting interaction and providing opportunities for families and caregivers to connect. This approach also can help reduce the isolation often experienced by older adults while offering pediatric patients a chance to understand aging and health issues. 

By integrating design strategies that consider physical and emotional well-being, healthcare spaces can better support patients at every stage of life. Architects and designers play a vital role in successfully bringing these practices together by creating adaptable, interactive pediatric environments and prioritizing safety and ease of navigation in geriatric spaces. 

Thoughtful use of color, lighting and materials can enhance comfort and promote a sense of security, while flexible layouts allow spaces to evolve as patient needs change. 

Setting design priorities 

No matter a patient’s age, primary care must prioritize privacy, emotional comfort and dignity. Pediatric spaces must provide a safe and welcoming environment for vulnerable children, while geriatric spaces should focus on allowing patients to maintain control over their personal spaces. 

Younger and older patients have one other major commonality: They do not come alone. Families come in all shapes and sizes, so accommodating patients and their caregivers requires consideration for not just who, but how many, might arrive for an appointment. Shared waiting areas must be flexible and accommodating, providing ample seating, quiet zones and spaces where families can connect, reflect and even participate in their loved one’s care when appropriate. Despite their communal nature, these spaces should be designed with privacy top of mind, allowing families to maintain that necessary dignity while still feeling welcoming. 

The size of waiting rooms is an important functional consideration. They should be spacious enough to accommodate multiple caregivers, whether it is a guardian and siblings or a spouse with adult children. Creating separate zones to accommodate the needs of these groups, such as reading nooks, play areas or tables that can accommodate play or work, can reduce the stress of the visit and support the patient’s well-being and family dynamics. 

Ergonomic seating, such as cushioned chairs or recliners, can alleviate physical discomfort for elderly patients and their caregivers. Since these patients often depend on their primary caregivers, settings should be arranged in clusters and near resources, such as nearby restrooms, refreshment stations and charging stations. Access to information about the care process can further enhance their experience, ensuring family members feel informed and engaged during visits. 

Pediatrics: Engaging the young and the growing 

From newborns to teens, pediatricians serve a range of developmental stages, requiring an environment that evolves with patients as they grow. Exam rooms, regardless of age or demographic, must also be flexible. 

Newborn areas might include small scales and height charts, while spaces for older children should feature standard exam tables and seating suited for adolescents. Thoughtful scaling is important to create spaces for each age group so children feel at ease and supported. 

Dividing the program between preventive and infectious care helps protect healthy children while meeting the care needs of both groups. Since wellness visits are most common, , these areas should be separate from sick-visit spaces to reduce the risk of infection. 

Besides these functional considerations, pediatric design should incorporate engaging features, such as playful colors, patterns, interactive activities, play areas and positive distraction techniques to alleviate anxiety and reduce stress. These strategies are particularly important for behavioral health visits, when calming elements are essential to support children with neurodevelopmental disorders. 

Lastly, the specific needs of medical equipment and storage must be taken into account. Pediatric settings often require larger storage areas for vaccines and routine immunizations, which should be organized and efficient to maintain a smooth workflow. 

Geriatrics: Accessibility and chronic care 

In contrast to pediatric spaces, geriatric spaces must consider the experience of individuals who often face chronic conditions, mobility limitations and sensory impairments. These settings must integrate room layouts that emphasize ease of movement. 

Full-sized exam rooms can be made more accessible with adjustable exam tables to accommodate patients using assistive devices like walkers or wheelchairs. Widened doorways and hallways allow for easy passage with ancillary furniture arranged to minimize obstacles. Safety considerations like handrails, non-slip flooring and smooth flooring transitions, also must be considered to minimize fall risks and promote independence. 

Well-organized plans with clear circulation paths and good wayfinding signs make it easier for older patients navigating around the medical space. Contrasting color palettes that help differentiate between horizontal and vertical plans, soothing patterns and thoughtful lighting design can reduce anxiety and address vision or cognitive impairments by minimizing visual clutter. 

For clinics with medication rooms and on-site pharmacies , these support spaces should be easily accessible to healthcare providers and situated near patient care areas for streamlined treatment and efficiency. This tactic also ensures adequate nearby staff in the event additional security measures are needed. 

The design of pediatric and geriatric healthcare spaces requires a deep understanding of the unique physical and emotional needs of each group. While pediatric spaces prioritize engagement and safety, geriatric spaces focus on accessibility and comfort. 

Architects and designers must adapt their strategies to meet these distinct needs, creating environments that foster healing and well-being. Though the design approaches differ, the common goal remains the same: enhancing patient wellbeing and addressing individual needs in spaces that contribute to better health outcomes. 

Al Thompson is managing executive with TPG Architecture. Antonio Rodriguez-Arguelles is a senior healthcare designer with the firm.