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Environmental Transformation 177 size of the opening to the hallway may be slightly reduced to signal a
transition to more quiet private spaces beyond.
Bedrooms for residents should provide space designed to be personalized. Encourage residents and family members to bring furniture, art and other belongings to create an intimate personal space. We also suggest you avoid buying the same headboard, side table and chair style for every room. Some vendors advertise, “Create a consistent look in your facility,” and promote purchasing everything the same. This is an institutional approach. Regulations require the organization to provide bedside tables, but nothing says they all have to be the same. And nothing says residents can’t bring their own furnishings and opt not to use those provided.
Preferably all bedrooms are private, but if some rooms must be shared, the design should provide distinct physical separation between the two residents. Depending upon the size of the room, there are very creative options for making a semi-private room more private.
If each bedroom has a bathroom and shower, residents don’t need to leave their private space to attend to private needs. But if each household can provide only a central bathing room, it should be located near the bedrooms. While ideally it should be possible to go to the bathing room without being seen from the public side of the household, the bathing room should have adequate space for dressing and undressing. Centralized bathing rooms should be like a health spa – a destination point where those receiving the service feel a sense of luxury and relaxation rather than the institutional “dip and spray.” Spa rooms also are great places to put a beautician station.
Storage
Storage in the households should be carefully planned. Think about the items flowing into the house that must be stored until used. Storage identified for specific items should be integrated throughout the household. Linens consume a large part of a household’s storage needs. If designed appropriately, bedroom closets can provide storage for sheets and towels. Additional clean linens for restocking should have central storage points. Storage along hallways provides convenient access to linens for staff and residents.
Lift equipment and other assistive devices are important for resident mobility and staff safety, but should not clutter living spaces or hallways. Niches should be planned to provide quick storage and retrieval of these devices. (Overhead track systems are one option that some find desirable.)
“Encourage residents and family members to bring furniture, art and other belongings to create an intimate personal space.”
“Centralized bathing rooms should be like a health
spa – a destination point of luxury and relaxation rather than the institutional ‘dip and spray.’”