Senior Living/Assisted Living/Skilled Nursing Facilities/Hospice
A recent US government report predicted the number of senior citizens needing long term care will double to 14 million by the year 2020. With this aging demographic, the market has responded with a surge of development in Long Term Care Facilities (LTC). This group, commonly referred to as baby boomers, grew up during one of the longest periods of sustained economic growth in U.S. history and have enjoyed a considerably higher standard of living than any previous generation. Due to this fact, baby boomers find it difficult to accept the concept of senior living, and many reject these facilities as a viable living option. The result has been a demand for new and more accommodating Long Term Care facilities, including independent, assisted living, skilled nursing and hospice.
Long Term Care facilities are an extension of healthcare architecture, of which Trinity has nationwide expertise. We have recognized the growth in this sector and have tailored our services to specifically meet this growing demand. Partnering with its specialized Senior Living consultant; Rice Fergus Miller LLC, Trinity is able to provide a superior level of expertise in the programming, planning and design of these facilities.
Senior Living facilities have special design requirements that must be carefully explored for each facility.
- Sound-absorbing materials should be used for floors & walls to avoid echoes.
- All common areas of a building should have an illumination level of not less than 11 lm/sf measured at the finished floor level, & uniformity of illumination level should be maintained for any space.
- Double-switching system should be considered. Switches should be installed near the bedside to avoid needing to cross the room in the dark.
- Consideration should be given to ensure gradual transition of lighting levels from one place to another.
- Resting places such as seats on stair landings or in long corridors should be provided.
- Resting places in external recreation spaces should be adequately provided.
- Different colors should be used for different floor levels, zonings or areas of different functional purposed to aid in way-finding.
- Switches + controls should be installed at reachable heights preferably at the same level as door handles
- Casework should be installed at low, convenient levels.
- Handrails should be of easier grip materials such as timber or plastic-coated surfaces.
- Lever-type controls + handles with limited grip needed, should be used. Knob handles, push operated and self-closing type faucet controls should be avoided.
- Should door closing devices be used, they should be designed to allow external & internal doors to be opened with minimal force.
- Doors of bathrooms & toilet rooms should open outward or both ways. Locks & latches should be of larger sizes + be able to open from the outside if emergency assistance is needed.
- Bathtub should have either build-in seat at the head end or attachable portable seat that fastens securely to the tub when needed.
- Roll-in type showers should be of size 60" x 35" minimum with a folding seat to allow transfer.
- Cross ventilation should be optimized in common areas such as corridors + lift lobbies.
- Recreational facilities such as shelters & benches, pavilions & Zen areas should be provided in external open spaces.
