senior housing units

3 Steps to Creating a Better Future for Senior Housing

As the world ages, the people that live in it also grow older. In fact, it is expected that the elderly will be twice as many as the younger generation by 2035, thanks to the baby boomers entering late adulthood. This also means that senior housing units are taking center stage because of the demand for good quality residential communities that meet all the needs of the older population.

 

But while the current senior housing situation is already good, there are still ways to improve upon it in the future to provide a more ideal space for the elderly. Here are three steps that experts say will help create a better living space for seniors:

 

 

Integration of Housing and Health Services

 

One of the most important senior housing issues is the fact that healthcare facilities are usually far from housing communities. But since the elderly will need access to health services all the time, the system can be improved by integrating housing and health services.

 

This is actually a cost-effective option since seniors can easily get the health services that they need right within their housing community. So, there’s no need for them to be transported to the hospital because everything is already accessible to them.

 

 

Importance of Improving Housing Accessibility

 

Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies released a projection that 31.2 million senior households will have at least one member with a disability affecting mobility by 2035. Therefore, it’s very important to improve the accessibility of all senior housing units whether during the first build or through a renovation.

 

All these developments should comply with the requirements in design and construction as stipulated by the Fair Housing Act and they also need to consider an elderly person’s need for comfort, accessibility, and safety.

 

 

Proper Selection of Services and Amenities

 

One of the biggest goals of any senior housing development is to give the elderly a safe and conducive place to live in while still giving them their independence.

 

Seniors have different needs than the average household, so designers need to create a space that has access to a wide range of services and amenities. This should include personal care, health management, wellness, recreation, transportation, and socialization. And since every senior housing community is different, it pays to really design an area that will fit the exact needs of the residents but can be adjusted if needed. Health service facilities should also be included in designing a senior housing community.

 

As we welcome a historical milestone for the American population in 2035 when older people will outnumber the younger generation, it goes without saying that having the right senior housing facility should be a priority for both the government and private institutions.

 

The future is just on the horizon anyway, so it’s very important to take the necessary steps now to provide a better and brighter future for the elderly population. We owe it to them after all, because they helped shape the world that we live in now.

 

 

 


Richmont Senior Living is proud to serve Ashland, NE and the surrounding cities: Memphis, Springfield, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Waverly, Murdock, Ithaca, and Chalco

memory assisted living facilities

How Assisted Living Facilities Design for Memory Care

According to the US Census Bureau, 78 million Americans will be aged 65 and older by 2035 compared to only 76.7 million people under the age of 18. This is mainly because baby boomers are now entering late adulthood and will be part of the elderly population in a couple of years.

 

With this in mind, the need for memory assisted living facilities has grown stronger, especially with more elderly people suffering from dementia. But how do these assisted living facilities cater to the need for memory care?

 

Here are four key concepts that were presented in a white paper co-published by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and design firm Perkins Eastman called “Excellence in Design: Optimal Living Space for People With Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias:”

 

 

Minimizing Overstimulation

 

Most patients with dementia and other cognitive impairments easily get overwhelmed with large spaces and groups, and it causes them to be confused, uncomfortable and irritable.

 

Add to the stress of visiting the doctor and you’ll easily see a patient getting distracted and stimulated in this kind of environment. This is why memory assisted living facilities need to focus on creating a smaller and quieter environment for dementia patients.

 

 

A Sense of Familiarity

 

Nothing is more frustrating for a patient with dementia than to feel that he is in new territory. This will make them feel disoriented and uncomfortable, which is why it’s very important to design a space with things that are familiar to them.

 

Memory assisted living facilities should think about the things that will make space feel homier to the patient like the abundance of natural light, objects from home and just a relaxing atmosphere.

 

 

Proper Directions

 

One of the most important things for any assisted living facility is to design a space where dementia patients can easily find their way. Aside from thinking about a proper layout, memory assisted living facilities should also have proper landmarks and visual cues to minimize the stress in patients and lighten the load of the healthcare staff.

 

Safety should also be a priority in these assisted living facilities because patients with dementia are at a higher risk for accidents due to their impairments.

 

 

Family Areas

 

The journey to assisted living is just as important for the family as it is for the patient. Since bringing a loved one to a facility is such a huge step for any family, they need to feel that they are supported every step of the way.

 

Family areas like waiting rooms and patient rooms should be designed with the patient and his family’s comfort in mind. They should be able to feel like they’re at home where everything is accessible and they can enjoy their private time together as a family.

 

Assisted living is now one of the most in-demand healthcare services in America due to the aging population. This is why it’s very important to have these four key concepts in mind when designing a space where dementia patients can still enjoy the best quality of life.

 

 

 


Richmont Senior Living is proud to serve Ashland, NE and the surrounding cities: Memphis, Springfield, South Bend, Greenwood, Murdock, Waverly, Murdock, Ithaca, and Chalco