December 3rd marks the United Nations’ International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a day dedicated to celebrating the achievements and contributions of people with disability, increasing awareness, understanding and acceptance. Since Studio 1-2-1 primarily designs for senior living communities, we wanted to share how our team supports residents with mobility, memory and vision impairments and disabilities.
Mobility
When our design team starts to design a community, they have a lot of variables to think about. From codes to fabric, our team wants to ensure that each resident has the best possible ability to live their lives as freely as they can. The biggest piece to any community is the flooring. From room to room, our design team focuses on making sure the right flooring material and transitions are installed so no one has to worry about mobilizing around their community. Our designers make sure flooring and carpets are not a tripping hazard, that hallways and walkways are compliant for mobility devices and even as simple as making sure dining chairs have casters on the front so residents have the freedom of getting into and out of their chairs while enjoying a meal.
Memory
For some of the communities we design for, dementia, Alzheimer’s or other brain disorders, are often prevalent. Our team vets every fabric and finish to ensure that certain patterns are not presented in a way that could cause confusion or emotional distress. Our team also keeps in mind that falls and accidents can happen within all areas of the community, so making sure moisture barriers are on the backs of fabrics and using finishes that aren’t harsh if a resident were to fall or slip. Our team also understands that while short-term memory may be less present, long-term memory can still be at the forefront. Using areas within memory care levels where art, accessories and materials can stimulate their memory, is something our designers strive for.
Vision
Senior residents who have visual limitations, may worry about keeping steady while navigating their community, or as simple as getting up from a sofa. Our team utilizes their skills to make sure each resident can confidently differentiate the depth from their chair to the floor or from room to room. Wayfinding is key in these communities, using signage with fonts that are able to be read without hesitation and at a level on the wall that all residents can locate. Our team also uses colors to help recognize different floors or wings of the building so residents can use that type of wayfinding instead of traditional signage. Designers want to create communities that allow residents to feel more confident and comfortable. Our goal is to improve each resident’s quality of life through design so they can live happier and healthier lives.
For more information on International Day of Persons with Disabilities please visit www.idpwd.org