Appropriate colors/patterns
Senior’s vision declines with age. They begin to experience changes in their perception of color and begin having difficulty to identify hues and contrasting colors; their vision begins to yellow altering their perception of color and light. Strong contrasting colors are recommended to help seniors perceive the differences between colors. Also, contrasts help seniors identify different objects or changes in floor level (Colour Perception & Contrast, 2019).
Seniors with dementia perceive contrasting patterns differently. They may perceive high contrasting patterns as steps or holes in the ground. To avoid this type of confusion, patterns such as zig-zag lines or stripes should be avoided. Dementia often make seniors perceive repetitive patterns as moving objects. When designing for dementia, it is more suitable to use literal imagery and clear contrast in colors and patterns. Colors such as blues, greens, violets, reds, and oranges could be used to create different environments. Mood changes and stimulation can be achieved with colors. However, they should not be overly used to avoid overstimulation (Colour Perception & Contrast, 2019).
Lighting
Lighting is very important when designing senior living communities. Natural and artificial lighting should be emphasized. Daylight and higher levels of artificial lights should be incorporated to minimize glare and create a safe environment. Uniform lighting through the spaces should be used (Perkins, 2013).
Lighting should be planned based on the orientation of the building, site, and climate. Also, daylight should be highly considered for common areas such as dinning, living spaces, and activity rooms. Lighting enhances senior’s independency. Considering senior’s lack of vision, good lighting should be provided in every space. Enough lighting supports senior’s needs. According to the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), Color Rendering Index (CRI) should be 80 for interiors and higher in lobby areas, dinning, rooms, and other important spaces. Also, Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) should be 3000K instead of 2700K. This would help mitigating the loss of color discrimination that can occur with age (Lighting for Senior Facilities, 2018).
Artwork
According to the article “Health Facilities Management”, Art work could help seniors with wayfinding. Consistent artwork could be used in hallways and floors to lead people to specific areas. Frequently people familiarize spaces with pictures and paintings. They can be used to create spaces that seniors can easily find or identify. (Chmielewki, 2017).
However, there are many factors to consider when selecting artwork. Seniors have trouble discerning pastels and lighter colors. Therefore, pictures that tend more toward brighter colors are preferable. Also, age can cause their vision to be blurry, therefore, clear images with distinct edges and lines are more suitable. Abstract images create confusion and anxiety. Therefore, literal imagery or clear colors are more recommended (Guidelines for Senior Living Artwork, 2019).
Furniture
Memory care communities need furniture that is designed to assist in the care of residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia. To help residents relax and reduce their risk of injury or discomfort, some factors need to be considered when selecting furniture. These factors include ingress and egress, ergonomics, safety, durability, and comfort. (Memory Care & Dementia Furniture: Long-Term Care Furniture, 2019).
Furniture also give spaces the finishing touches in the interior design of senior living communities. According to the book, “Building type basics for senior living”, by Perkins Eastman, “furniture should reflect the architectural aesthetic, the setting and location of the project, and lifestyles of the residents”.
Finishes
Finishes also help seniors to create a visual identification of different objects; colors and textures improve senior’s ability to identify objects. As mention previously, cresting contrast seniors can easily locate objects such as grab bars and doorways.
When designing for dementia, flooring, wall coverings, stones, woods, paint, fabrics, and window treatments need to be considered based on safety and comfort. Usually flooring is the first material to be selected when designing. Soft surfaces can be achieved with carpet. Board loom and carpet tile are both carpets that could be used in a senior living community. Their backing system, coefficient of friction, and antimicrobial treatments are very important when choosing carpet. There are many other options and materials that could be used for flooring. Luxury Vinyl, sheet vinyl, ceramic, wood, and other floor coverings are other options for flooring. They all need to be selected based on glare, slip resistance, seaming, transitions, installation, cost, maintenance, and chemical compounds (Perkins, 2019).
Security
Security is highly important. Residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia experience anxiety and paranoia. Therefore, spaces need to provide environments that always keeps them safe and away from danger. There is a list of recommendations for designers to provide safer environments for seniors with dementia (Designing for memory care, senior-living facilities, 2019).
· Provide lockable storage
· Restrict window openings
· Use nontoxic plants
· Provide enough lighting
· Provide “visual access” to places and emphasizing entry or egress points.
· Provide furniture with appropriate sizes and heights
Accessibility
Accessibility also improves safety. Design features and technology can be used to facilitate access and well-being in the community. Technology and access controls increase staff and senior’s opportunities to feel secure (Assisted Living & Health Monitoring, 2019).
Design strategies and innovative design can create visual patterns that help seniors to access to their activity areas and living spaces. Common spaces need to be easy to find. Wayfinding system and accessible pathways should be provided to improve accessibility and easy movement among staff and residents (Assisted Living & Health Monitoring, 2019).
It is important to keep accessible areas where they often need to traffic and restrict access residents need to stay away from. Doors that lead to the exterior or areas of work need to be secured and locked in case patients try to enter. Usually exterior access is monitored and controlled for safety (Assisted Living & Health Monitoring, 2019).
Memory cares facilities are required to control access and protect assets. Some systems have been created to provide limited access to certain spaces where residents are not allowed to enter. Card readers, patent keys, electronic locks, are some solutions that are being incorporated into senior living designs to avoid resident enter in certain areas (Assisted Living & Health Monitoring, 2019).
Sources
Chmielewki, Emily. Health Facilities Management. Mar2017, Vol. 30 Issue 3, p25-28. 4p.
Colour Perception & Contrast | Dementia Care Environment. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.enablingenvironments.com.au/colour-perception-and-contrast.html
Designing for memory care, senior-living facilities. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.hfmmagazine.com/articles/2730-designing-for-memory-care
Guidelines for Senior Living Artwork. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://artsourceonline.com/guidelines_for_senior_living.html
Lighting for Senior Facilities. (2018, November 03). Retrieved from http://www.lightnowblog.com/2018/11/lighting-for-senior-facilities/
Memory Care & Dementia Furniture: Long-Term Care Furniture. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.kwalu.com/senior-living-furniture/memory-care-furniture/
Perkins, L. B., & Hoglund, J. D. (2013). Building type basics for senior living. Hoboken: Wiley.
Vertical Market Focus: Assisted Living & Health Monitoring--How to Secure Assisted Living Facilities. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.securityinfowatch.com/access-identity/access-control/article/10745930/security-for-assisted-living-facilities
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