It’s National Assisted Living Week!
It’s time to celebrate what makes senior living communities thrive!
In recognition of National Assisted Living Week, REES is highlighting five key ideas to keep in mind when designing amenity spaces for assisted living communities.
Comfort
When planning a new or renovated assisted living community, it is important that it offer the comforts of home. Studies have proven that residents show improved wellness when transitioning to an assisted care community that resembles home.
Christian Care Center, a REES-designed community in Allen Texas, offers modern lodge-style neighborhoods with homelike assisted living. Additionally, residents can independently enjoy dining venues, a theater, a library, and arts & crafts room and a salon and spa.
Living Well
Research on aging has proven that getting outdoors promotes wellness in seniors by increasing physical activity, improving mobility, enhancing cognitive activity and reducing dementia.
The Farms at Bailey Station in Collierville, Tennessee, wanted their residents to safely enjoy the outdoors in a variety of ways. In addition to walking paths and open-air patios, the REES-designed community includes this outdoor putting and chipping green as a fun option for seniors to safely get outside, socialize and enjoy the fresh air.
Socialization
Studies have shown that seniors who regularly maintain an active social life can slow down memory decline. Activity centers, gardens, libraries and arts and crafts rooms are popular assisted living amenities that encourage active lifestyles.
When the Carillon LifeCare Community refreshed their existing community, they wanted common areas to be flexible and dynamic. The REES-designed space incorporated areas to encourage socialization including a community lounge, common areas on each floor and a robust dining room.
Independence
Residents in assisted living communities often need help with only a few everyday activities such as bathing or walking. When planning a redesign of a community, it is important to design spaces where seniors can socialize and enjoy independent hobbies or activities.
Wyoming Springs, a community in Round Rock, Texas, offers two 36-bed assisted living neighborhoods. To encourage independence, the REES-designed facility includes an exercise center, a library, a computer room and a barber/beauty salon and spa.
Healthy Living
Countless studies have proven the benefits of exercise – no matter your age. Despite 85 being the average resident age, promoting an active lifestyle is important in assisted living communities. When deciding to renovate or plan a community, operators recognize the importance of including gyms, spas, aquatic centers and wellness centers for physical therapy rehabilitation.
The REES-designed MacArthur Hills in Irving, Texas, included a fitness center adjacent to an indoor pool making it easy for residents to transition from one activity to another.
