As the world emerges from the global pandemic that changed the way we live, work and even play, the world is also adjusting to how needs are changing for the future. One of these concerns is how the aging populations are addressing their futures.
The senior housing market is showing signs of stability after COVID-19 stalled some progress. The next few years will be heavily focused on senior living development. In fact, the largest demographic going into senior living is projected to do so between 2023 and 2024.
But what do those senior living facilities look like in this new environment?
Focus on safety
The number one focus moving forward is on safety – safety of residents, staff, visitors and everyone in between. This means diving deep into the design of a senior living facility and finding ways to induce safe living – from individual rooms to an entire senior living campus.
Focus must be given to keeping residents active and safe at the same time. A knowledgeable general contractor can not only put an eye on the design of the facility, but also do so during the construction phase.
Proactively, a focus on wellbeing may be the answer to designing the senior living facilities of the future. Quick access to health care, offering health plans and having amenities that encourage physical and mental activity for residents can improve overall wellness along with proactively keeping residents safe in the case of another crisis.
More outdoor space
Outside was a safe haven during the pandemic and became a place people could gather safely. This space will have a renewed focus in the coming years, allowing for socialization and physical activity. From pickleball courts, swimming pools and picnic spaces, to walking paths, mini golf courses and even amphitheaters, seniors want the space to gather with each other as well as their visitors.
Built-out amenities outdoors require developers to have the property to spread out a bit, but even with smaller spaces, a creative look at design can allow for these in-demand features to be present on campus.
And it’s not only new developments that can take advantage of this hot trend. Items can be retrofitted and added as needed in existing facilities, especially items like walking paths or a bocce ball court.
But in locations where weather may be an issue, what can facilities do to keep residents entertained and safe?
Bringing the outside inside
There are options to keep senior living residents safe inside while offering the same level of activity as outdoor amenities. Bringing traditional outside activities inside was becoming popular before COVID-19, and that trend has only accelerated.
For instance, pickleball and bocce ball courts can move inside, designated physical activity rooms can be built with space for yoga and other forms of exercise. Dining rooms can also be used for a game room or a club meeting when not being used for eating.
Finding the space to allow residents to gather when the weather doesn’t cooperate is critical and utilizing existing space for different functions can be the answer.
Technology and connection
The pandemic reminded the public what is most important in life – connecting with people. That was tough during the height of the pandemic, especially in senior living communities where health and safety was top priority.
How do you connect residents to their loved ones to promote good mental health and fight social isolation in case of another global health crisis?
Focusing on increasing technology in senior living facilities could be vital in making sure residents are in touch regularly with friends and family, ensuring those connections remain strong even during times when in-person visits aren’t an option. Access to electronic devices along with strong bandwidth is vital for allowing seniors to connect with their loved ones, and in turn essential for their mental health.
And when in-person visitors are an option, in order to keep residents and visitors safe, outside spaces and larger inside areas can be used with social distancing measures in place.
Because these features depend on intentional design work, the key is finding a general contractor who really knows the senior living market and how to find ways to incorporate safety features into a design.
Brinkmann Constructors is a national general contractor active in the senior living market with 1.5 million square feet in current senior living projects underway across the U.S. totaling $300 million. For more information email Rebecca Randolph at rrandolph@brinkmannconstructors.com or visit brinkmannconstructors.com.