I attended a workshop of Senior Living Design at BDwest on Mar. 13, 2019 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Moderator
Phoebe Stein (President), Phoebe Stein Public Relations
Panelists
David Ashen (President and CEO), dash design
Lisa Cini (Principal), Mosaic Design Studio
Ken Robertson (VP Development), LeisureCare
Kevin Swanson (Sr. Interior Designer), Columbia Pacific Advisors
Senior living accommodations are a growing sector of need today. I hope to design ways to improve living conditions as this global demand expands. The session was held to understand how to create senior living facilities that exceed expectations and offer a valid alternative to “aging in place”. I was interested to hear some hints as to how I can improve my own approach and understanding of designing a space for people who wish to age in their own home.
The session started off with briefly touching upon the difference between independent living and assisted living. Independent living provides seniors the ability to spend their life without consistent assistance, and live with some shared space and to appreciate the sense of community. Assisted living refers to living alone in an apartment-style setting, while having access to additional care and assistance as needed. Each state establishes the premise on how these facilities are to be built.
We then discussed possible applications from hospitality design to senior living design, the use and potential of utilizing current technology, and impacts from the legalization of marijuana. The session was lively due to the exchange of perspectives among panelists and the audience.
It was insightful to hear David Ashen explain we need to be cautious about some fundamental distinctions between hotel and senior living. Although many elements from hotel design have been successfully applied to senior living, over-designing tends to fail in senior living facilities. Comfort is a common priority for both. However, people visit a hotel from afar to experience the “extraordinary”. Meanwhile residents and visitors of senior living space often come from adjacent towns to maintain their “sense of connections” with their loved ones and communities. Avoiding over-powering sensory elements is another essential concern. We need to carefully design lighting and decorative elements to complement the residents’ sensitive sensory.
Today’s technological advances have brought convenience to the senior living sector as well. Examples include sensory floor heating, sensory lighting and tracking systems to monitor someone’s location. However, cognitive issues that seniors tend to have often make it more challenging to employ technology with tis full capabilities. It can be burdensome for them to learn and recall how to utilize some of these features. Even something as simple as a fob key could be current today, but obsolete in the near future. Therefore, each item needs to be studied in depth prior to implementation as it tends to require a large financial commitment.
The final discussion on marijuana was personally fascinating as I’ve worked on a project for a dispensary business recently. Cannabis and its alternatives uses are quickly becoming accepted around the world. In fact, according to a survey recently conducted and shared by Lisa Cini, close to half of all Baby-Boomers responded that they are open to the use of marijuana to treat sleeplessness and/or relieve pain. Given senior living facilities do not permit smoking of any sort today, Baby-Boomers are hesitant and even resistant to consider moving into a facility.
I personally believe it is important to encourage inter-generational living and avoid widespread segregation including with respect to age. Specified living arrangements have been considered efficient and the norm for generations. However, diversity can enhance one’s quality of life. A recent project and study in Singapore at Kapung Admiralty encouraged me as it made me aware that it is no longer just a theory but a successful reality. I would like to eventually head toward a comparable solution here in the US after understanding all the issues and needs for this space.
interior designsenior livingsenior citizenagingelderyintergenerationalassisted livingindependent livinghospitality