| An essential trend in residential and community design | | | | to be in position. Doorknobs, window panes, drawers |
| is the emerging concern in age restricted projects. | | | | and cabinet pulls should all be easy to grasp for |
| Retirement communities are specifically targeted to | | | | arthritic hands. |
| people older than 65 who like to relocate to | | | | Social Design |
| environment which focus on convenience and quality | | | | The social aspect is an essential consideration in |
| of life. The special needs of this age bracket call for | | | | these projects. Gerontologic health is closely |
| crucial thinking when planning elements of design | | | | associated with social integration, so there has to be |
| layout of the facilities as well as the design of | | | | ample opportunities for residents to socialize. This |
| individual housing units and everyday spaces. | | | | mandates not just such first level social areas such as |
| Practicalities | | | | clubhouse or frequent recreational and sports areas. |
| Most customers will be keenly interested in the | | | | Though has to be put into designing common areas |
| available facilities of your project. Medical support is | | | | to boost socialization. |
| of prime importance, so if you don't plan to have a | | | | The major dilemma is how to balance appropriately |
| tertiary care medical facility within your compound, | | | | interspersed social areas while maintaining a sense of |
| think about having a minimum of secondary or | | | | spaciousness and privacy. Housing that's too close |
| primary care readily accessible. In these situations a | | | | together feels safer, but might be agoraphobic. |
| well outfitted tertiary care hospital ought not to be | | | | Domiciles that are too far apart make social calls |
| too distant. | | | | tough as they discourage ambulation. A balance must |
| Commercial areas where residents can purchase | | | | be struck between the importance of time alone and |
| necessities like food, prescriptions, and everyday | | | | the need for interaction. |
| household items should be incorporated. Residents will | | | | Aesthetics |
| appreciate easily accessible restaurants and cafes to | | | | This is still an essential consideration, but should take |
| break the monotony of home cooking. Alternatively, | | | | a back seat to other concerns. This does not mean |
| a system which allows easy contact with shipping | | | | that you ought to take the lazy route and choose |
| from outside establishments ought to be in position. | | | | institutionalized or ultraconservative design. Don't |
| Age-specific Design Considerations. | | | | forget that this industry is highly competitive and if all |
| Both everyday and private areas ought to be | | | | other things are equal, then the way your job looks |
| designed with the special needs of older people in | | | | will factor greatly in the success of the endeavor. |
| mind. Wider access paths are necessary when they | | | | A stunning location is always a good beginning point. |
| must be negotiated with walkers, wheelchairs, or | | | | Most seniors want retirement communities to be |
| human assistance. Warning and directional signs should | | | | somewhere warm, preferably in proximity to lakes or |
| be large and easy to read. Pathways has to be | | | | the ocean. That being said, an attractive mountainous |
| designed with gentle slopes, non-slip surfaces, and | | | | region will probably hold some appeal. Though a |
| frequent rest areas. | | | | somewhat conservative overall feel may save |
| Seniors generally prefer one-story housing, yet, well | | | | yourself from alienating individuals of an earlier |
| maintained elevators of a good size are a | | | | generation, there is one thing to be said about the |
| satisfactory alternative. Focused group discussions | | | | excitement that can be generated by a modern |
| reveal that most people want wide airy spaces, with | | | | design. Remember that good taste transcends age |
| adequate lighting. Numerous rails and handholds needs | | | | and upbringing. |