Retirement may sound like an end to all the hustle bustle of life and finally winding down to a life of peace. But, retirement might just bring a new set of challenges for people such as feelings of loneliness, lack of routine, too much free time, and even change in living. Moving into retirement homes can be challenging for many and thus home plans for senior living are of great importance. There are a myriad of factors that need to be taken into consideration so as to provide people with smooth transitions. You want the retirement home to meet the needs of people so they feel at home and at peace while they receive all the care they require.
So, if you’re planning to design a home plan for senior living, apply the tricks in this article to provide them the comfort of a lifetime.
Overview
1. Asking All The Right Questions
- What number of distinct floor plans are required?
- Will there be a requirement for floor plans with multiple bedrooms? And what about suites for shared living?
- Are kitchens or kitchenettes to be provided in every room?
- How about the restrooms? attached or shared?
- Do all floor plans require accessibility for wheelchairs or electric scooters? How much storage space is required per room?
- Will there be a need for hotel rooms on-site? (If seniors reside in a state other than where their children do)
2. Amenities and Activities in Home Plans For Senior Living
Senior homes take care of the people and their day to day activities such as washing clothes, raking leaves, cooking, and etc. This leaves them with very little to do hence, activities in homes are essential. If you’re designing a floor plan for senior living then it’s vital that you add one of these low maintenance activities in your design so people can enjoy and bond over these games.
You can add scenic walking paths for seniors to take a stroll, or tennis courts for some light fun, indoor theater room or business centers may make the transition easier for them. Furthermore, exercising is essential to keep health in check hence, a basic gym is vital to add. Swimming pools, Jacuzzis, spas, and massage rooms are also some of the best additions for a senior home.
Shared activities are a healthy and necessary practice to help the elderly feel less lonely. When away from family and no work for distraction, days can feel long, hence common kitchens, knitting areas, classrooms, and common activity areas are a great addition to a retirement home.
3. The Feeling Of Home
A professional assisted living architect will also stress the significance of designing a building that resembles a luxury apartment building rather than a traditional nursing home.
Keep in mind that individuals today choose to remain in senior care facilities not only because they require a higher degree of care, but also because they offer cozy and welcoming environments.
This means that small, one-room apartments with just a bed and a few personal items are sometimes insufficient.
Seniors prefer a room that resembles an apartment. Similar to what they had at home, they will want a kitchen, a living room, a space to host guests, and a private bedroom.
4. Looking Beyond Senior Citizens
Lastly, i’d like to highlight that to keep the senior citizens happy and satisfied its important to first keep the staff happy.
Everyone needs a break from work and study has proved that normally care givers in senior living residences experience caregiver fatigue as they do not have spaces where they can have a break. Hence, a designated area for staff only is an essential part of any home plan for senior living.
Caregiver fatigue can lead to high staff turnover, burn out, decreased quality of care, and in some cases abuse of the elderly. Hence, staff only lounges, kitchens, and napping areas should be a part of any design
Takeaway
Designing a home plan for senior living is no easy feat to achieve. It’s imperative that your design not only acts as a place they live in but also feel at home. Take this blog as pointers of what you should or shouldn’t be doing. And don’t worry, every design has some design errors which get identified while reviewing. So. design the house and fix the loopholes as you go.
Once your design is completed. Book a session with 1to1 Plans to visualize your designs. With 1to1 plans 2D LED walkable technology and furniture on wheels available at the studio, you can see your design coming to life!
