Many seniors relocate to independent and assisted living to make new friends with people who are the same age and shares some of the same interests as they do. Senior living designers are creating spaces that support social distancing while maintaining the connection to friends and family. At the foundation of this balancing act in senior living design is an awareness of the needs of the seniors in every setting and the types of furniture brought into the communities.
Social distancing design in common areas
It is easy to just remain in ones’ apartment or room. It is far more challenging to provide areas that follow social distancing guidelines and accommodate residents comfortably, especially in common areas. Seating and tables must be flexible in the space. Arranged in socially distanced groups and easily moved to create additional groupings. This flexibility keeps these common areas interesting for people who have limited places to go. Benches in the hallways encourage seniors to seek a new destination outside of their rooms.
Social distancing design in dining
Grand dining rooms filled to capacity with elaborate table settings, fancy food offerings, and a hundred guests have, over the last few years, added more casual dining settings and healthier food options. Designers are now making sure social distancing is an integral part of the growing trend. Where possible large dining rooms are divided into smaller spaces where friends can socialize in small groups over a meal.
Social distancing design in multi-purpose spaces
Furniture that fits the definition of flexible design is a requirement in rooms that serve many purposes in senior living. For example, an indoor-outdoor room can utilize lounge and outdoor furniture for relaxing, a large table and a few chairs for activities and storage pieces to make smooth transitions within the space. All socially distanced, of course. The most important feature for the furniture in any of these spaces is its cleanability. High touch chair arms, chair backs, and tabletops must be cleaned and disinfected frequently and still look like new to enhance the experience in the room.