Senior Living Facilities Will Want to Include These 6 Elements When Renovating in Bergen County, NJ
An aging population has put significant strain on existing senior living facilities, and many are remodeling in order to accommodate the need. Today, these facilities are less institutional and more homey. Giving seniors the comforts of home - and the privacy they enjoy at home - is important for their wellbeing. At the same time, there is an emphasis on maintaining resident safety and the security of the building. Senior living facilities will want to include these 6 elements when renovating in Bergen County, NJ.
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1. Private Suites with the Comforts of Home
Taking inspiration from the hospitality industry, many senior living facilities are moving toward private suites rather than simple hotel-like bedrooms. The emphasis is on giving facility residents a home-like atmosphere complete with a living space and in some cases, a kitchenette. Some residents prefer to dine in the company of other residents, but this is not the case for all so having a private space to dine and relax is important. Attractive lighting, pleasing colors, and comfortable sound-absorbing textures can take cues from the hotels and restaurants, and blend with easy-care surfaces and safety features such as grab bars, non-slip flooring, and easily accessible call buttons.
2. Private Family Visiting Rooms
Since many seniors were completely isolated from their loved ones during the Covid pandemic - and many continue to be - facilities are moving toward offering comfortable private visiting areas that segregate residents’ families from other residents.
Seniors are considered an at-risk population. As the Covid pandemic continues to evolve, taking measures to protect our most vulnerable members of society is an absolute must. When family members visit residents’ rooms, they must often walk past other rooms, which can increase the risk of airborne infection. Having family visiting spaces easily accessible from the facility entrance can help minimize the risk. These dedicated visiting spaces can be sanitized after each use to help prevent the spread of infection.
3. Natural Spaces
Though not all facilities have much in the way of gardens, providing seniors with a natural environment is known to be good for their mental and emotional wellbeing. Even a rooftop garden complete with lush plantings and fountains can help soothe anxiety and improve mood.
As well, adding plants throughout communal lounges, activity rooms, and dining spaces can help purify the air and again, bring a home-like atmosphere to communal spaces.
4. Ample Natural Light
Providing ample natural light - especially if the view is oriented toward trees or landscaped areas - can lift everyone’s mood. Where natural light isn’t available, using bulbs that mimic full-spectrum natural sunlight can help maintain a positive atmosphere.
5. Enrichment Spaces
Libraries, movie rooms, gyms, outdoor walking paths or running tracks, performing arts center, meditation rooms, yoga rooms, art studios, and craft rooms can support mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health and wellbeing.
6. Security and Safety
Some senior living facilities include memory care residents. This necessitates the need for private no-exit outdoor areas and secure doorways that can prevent memory care residents from wandering.
To protect residents, video surveillance as well as sophisticated visitor management systems are used to block visitor access to the entire facility and to prevent elder abuse and theft by caregivers and facility staff.
Emergency communications systems and a focus on fast and easy egress will help keep residents safe in case of fire or other emergencies.