Developing Senior Housing and the Psychological Impact of Interior Design
How is it that when we enter a senior community – whether it is a long term care community or a secured memory care household within a community, we are greatly affected by our surroundings within the first few moments of arrival? It must be our senses that are kicking in and registering a feeling of comfort or anxiety. What is it that gives us the sense of security, safety, our interpretation of “home” – other than the obvious things such as a lockable front door or a sign that says “Home” hanging above the reception desk?
As a designer responsible for the finishing touches in any senior community, I have a found that small touches throughout really have a big impact on the senses. Introduce subtle suggestions of mild scents whenever you can. Believe it or not, this is actually a very important ‘driver’ for our interior spaces. Mild scents such as soft cinnamon, beeswax, clover, soft vanilla – all of these are great to use in potpourri or soaps in common areas within a senior household. Just be careful that as you move from room to room that the scents blend well and are not too overpowering.
Overall design considerations to create a comfortable interior space are generally easy to follow as well. I have a phrase I use for most interior designers, “When in doubt, neutral it out!” Keep your main base in the neutral tones and add accents of color just as you would in your own home – an accent wall, accent pillows, perhaps bringing out saturation of color through the artwork. Think about a senior community’s space as you would your own home and try to be consistent on how you would accessorize or furnish your own space. The layout of the room fits well for a conversational space, the window treatments are not too formal, or maybe there are photographs of family pets displayed in the bookshelves.
Accessorize these spaces to fit the community base and design concept. Go that extra step and invest some time to really think about what will complete those spaces that might need that extra “umph”. What would really be the right feeling for a TV lounge? What would really convey a sense of relaxation in a tub room? Think about the design concept that you are trying to achieve and brainstorm for creative ideas to get it there without becoming too literal. Take some time to walk through the community and note what specific things are distracting as well as what things blend in.
Don’t always believe what your eyes tell you in that sign that says “Home” hanging in the front vestibule, you’ve got to feel it as you walk all the way through the space.
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