ICON - The magazine of the American Society of Interior Designers - (Page 41)

Glossary AAHSA: American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging a handheld showerhead, for example. She also pre-selects the finishes, so that any “custom” choices a resident makes will be appropriate. This prevents a resident from installing a white countertop above white cabinets on a white ﬂoor, a trio lacking enough color contrast for aging eyes. If the unit’s windows are operable (most aren’t), she specifies “easy-open” hardware on the casements. McAskill tries to influence and educate builders whenever possible. For instance, builders often install window blinds, which are difficult for arthritis sufferers to operate. Although she advocates for remote-control window treatment installations, she recognizes that there’s “just so much a developer can offer” at a given price point. The move from one’s longtime home a new community or facility can be challenging for residents, both physically an emotionally. In Lawlor’s experience, incoming seniors may need a designer’s help in choosing which pieces to bring from their current home and how to arrange them, as well as what accessories and furnishings to purchase. Residential designers should not overlook this signiﬁcant market. And of course, as Lawlor notes, existing clients (or at least some of them) have parents who may need design services. Ingrid Fraley, president of Design Services Inc., in Gaithersburg, Md., a frequent speaker and longtime senior-housing designer, gets most of her projects through repeat business and referrals. Clients include both profit and not-for-profit projects, subsidized inner-city communities, CCRCs for the military, and market-rate independent living facilities. A nationwide client base has provided her with varied regional experience. “What appeals in Florida does not work in New England. There are often regional variances and preferences in the definition of home-like interiors,” she notes. She is also convinced that America can learn from watching how other countries problem-solve issues linked to aging populations. Many nations, including Japan, South Korea and Singapore—are developing more ﬂexible interior spaces and supportive community environments. AARP: American Association of Retired Persons ADLs (Activities of Daily Living): Usually deﬁned as mobility, eating, bathing and toileting. ALU (Assisted Living Unit): A community or facility offering its residents three meals a day and assistance as needed (for instance, with ADLs). Active adult communities, Retirement communities, Active adult retirement communities, Lifestyle communities: Planned communities that offer features, amenities and activities designed to appeal to 55-plus residents. Some are age-qualiﬁed/age-restricted.They don’t offer meal service plans or health services, although restaurants and services are nearby. CAASH (Certiﬁed Active Adult Specialist in Housing): A graduate of a certiﬁcation program developed and administered by the NAHB. It educates and prepares builders, designers, architects and other interested parties to serve the active adult market. CAPS (Certiﬁed Aging-in-Place Specialist): A graduate of a certiﬁcation program developed and administered by the NAHB in cooperation with AARP. It trains builders, designers, architects and other interested parties to understand and implement aging in place. CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community): A community or facility offering at least three levels of care to its residents—independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing. ECHO (Elderly Cottage Housing Opportunities): A detached housing unit in the yard of a single-family home, usually an adult child’s home. Gerontology, Geriatrics: The branch of science that deals with aging and problems of the aged. Geriatrics often has a narrower, medical meaning. ILU (Independent Living Unit): A community or facility offering its residents independent living, deﬁned as the ability to perform ADLs. ILUs typically offer one meal a day, security and access to an Nena Donovan Levine, Allied Member ASID, is the owner of N Design, Inc., in W. Hartford, Conn. She is a kitchen designer and a freelance writer whose work has appeared in numerous publications. See the Resource Guide on page 101 for additional resources and information about “Designs for Senior Living .” array of health services. NCSHR: National Center for Seniors Housing Research NOAHS (National Older Adults Housing Study, 2002): An important source of housing and aging data; conducted by the NCSHR and the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University. NORC (Naturally Occurring Retirement Community): A community, neighborhood or building in which the population ages in place, with no imposed master plan. This can occur if parents/homeowners stay on as children grow up and move away. Getting Started How does an aspiring designer get from here to there? “Education,” say those already there. Thoma-Holec advocates studying gerontology. Lawlor advises taking the CAPS course and any others that pertain to the topic; ﬁnding experts in related fields (physical and occupational therapists, for example) and sharing knowledge. She believes that “It is a valuable marketing tool to let clients know that you are constantly taking courses.” Working in a design or architectural ﬁrm specializing in senior housing is often the best way to gain experience (and connections) within this design specialty. And of course, do the homework: Attend conferences, read the relevant books and keep up with research, and familiarize yourself with the alphabet soup of acronyms related to senior living facilities. But, as Fraley notes, interest in, and empathy for, the clients are perhaps just as crucial. “You can’t teach compassion,” she says. ] ASID ICON | NOV/DEC 2007 41

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of ICON - The magazine of the American Society of Interior Designers

ICON - The magazine of the American Society of Interior Designers Contents President’s Message Good to Know Innovations Breathing Life into a Building Designs for Senior Living On the Move Thinking Green Aging in Style Industry Inside ASID Grassroots ASID National Industry Partner Focus Showroom Advertisers Resource Guide Annual Articles Index

ICON - The magazine of the American Society of Interior Designers

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