Page 46 - Bernardon_Housing for Aging_SOQ 08.2023

Cultivating Comfort
Creating a secure environment is key to effective memory Cultivating comfort is only one key factor in providing
support design. Not only for residents but for staff as well. thoughtful, customized design for memory care communities
Since residents often struggle with their whereabouts, and their residents. Not only do we need to take into
designing a space that provides both familiarity and comfort consideration a person’s emotional needs, but their physical
is paramount to their safety and well-being. For staff, this needs as well. This is where activity-centered design comes
also helps to reinforce an atmosphere that’s conducive to into play.
providing excellent care. Some ways we implement comfort
through design include:
“Creating a secure
■ Residential vs. Institutional – Residents need
their surroundings to be their home, and implementing environment is key
residential design elements helps to create that
environment. By avoiding institutional furniture and to effective memory
sterile finishes, and instead using residential furniture, support design. Not
textures, and lighting arrangements, the residents are
only for residents but
able to feel at home.
■ Neighborhoods – It’s best not to have a large
number of residents in a memory support wing at for staff as well.”
a time. By incorporating living spaces that include
“neighborhoods” of four to six residents, it gives the
resident the ability to get to know the people that are Enhancing Activity
living in proximity to them and provides a sense of Implementing thoughtful design in response to residents’
familiarity. physical needs results in enhanced activity. By providing spaces
that encourage socialization, mental stimulation, and physical
■ Dining Areas – Providing a communal setting like
play, the memory care community is able to provide a better
farm table seating for residents to dine with family
quality of life for the resident. Activity is crucial to maintaining
or friends allows for socialization. Additionally,
a resident’s identity as they navigate the enigmatic stages
providing multiple table settings for residents to
of dementia, and design features including activity rooms,
choose from allows for each resident’s specific lifestyle
wander gardens, and customized interactive elements serve to
need. While some may prefer to dine alone, others
strengthen their care.
may have a visiting friend or spouse that would like
to dine with them. ■ Activity Rooms – Whether for physical play,
■ Bedrooms – Designing bedrooms for individuals therapeutic practices, or socialization, activity rooms
allows for enhanced care-giving. While some industry provide a place where residents enjoy physical exertion
leaders believe that having a shared room is beneficial, and meaningful social interaction. Simply more than
creating private room settings for each resident just a place for exertion, the design of such rooms can
include features like bookcases or shelving that also
serve as monitoring structures where nurses can watch
over residents in common spaces, but still give residents
a sense of independence.

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