Environments for Aging - Spring 2015 - 21

JAMES RAY SPAHN

time in the community while attending to
their professional obligations.
Creating two-bedroom independent
living units that operate as a one bedroom
with an attached studio-This convertible space provides family members the
ability to spend a night or two while still
maintaining a level of privacy and independence for both parties.
Providing spaces to share meals
together-The food options available
play a significant role in the willingness
of loved ones to visit frequently and stay
longer. Consider creating different eating
venues or "destination dining," such as a
bar and grill, a formal dining room, and a
buffet-each with a unique look and feel.
Diversified options mean a better chance
of accommodating the varied preferences
of visitors and make meals a more special
experience for residents.
Incorporating a bistro or coffee shop
area-These spaces should be separate
from the dining room and offer residents
and guests a place to grab coffee and
a sandwich together. This more casual
dining option provides a nice alternative
to dining room or cafeteria-style dining,
particularly for
midday meals
and families
with children.
Creating a
private catering
room-These
areas can be
booked for
family dinJami Mohlenkamp
ners or special
occasions, but also utilized as a pub or
wine bar at other times. Keeping it open
for a couple of hours each evening offers
a relaxed, adults-only social area for both
guests and residents to enjoy.
Devoting areas to children of varying
ages-These spaces might include an outdoor playground for younger children and
a more teen-oriented game or movie room
with bean bags and relaxed lounge furniture, in addition to seating for residents.
Landscaping outdoor areas and garden
spaces-Sprucing up outside destinations
with seating can offer an opportunity for
residents and guests to experience fresh

air and conversation. Add paths that lead
to private areas with benches or chairs to
provide more intimate outdoor spaces for
families.
Considering walkability and a connection
to the local neighborhood-Ties to neighbors
are important to weigh when choosing a
location. Facilities located near a park, shopping center, bus line, or urban neighborhood
are all important to increasing opportunities for families to get out and spend time
together. This also gives residents a way to
maintain their sense of independence and
connection with the outside world.

The Frasier Meadows retirement
community in Frasier, Colo.,
worked with OZ Architecture to
design specific spaces for visitors
throughout the community.
This library with computer
workstations allows visiting adults
to work, have access to a printer,
or relax with a book.

The payoff
Incorporating some of these amenities will
not only create a more desirable living place
for residents, but will also make communities
highly attractive to the adult children who
are often key decision makers in determining
where their parents will flourish in the next
phase of their lives. Ultimately, developing
spaces that encourage family members to
spend more time with their loved ones will
benefit the community, visitors, and, most
importantly, the happiness and well-being of
the residents. EFA
Jami Mohlenkamp is a principal at OZ
Architecture (Denver). He can be reached at
jmohlenkamp@ozarch.com.

Spring 2016 * EFAmagazine.com

http://www.EFAmagazine.com

Environments for Aging - Spring 2015

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