It’s hard to believe that it was in May that I blogged about being ready to “turn the corner” on everything that was impacting the country. I guess I was a little impatient. In the meantime, it is as we predicted that there would be some creative times ahead in the design and construction of senior living communities.
We have spoken with a lot of our colleagues in the senior living operations and design community in the last couple of months to learn about what they want to implement into their future projects to increase health and safety when a contagious health crisis such as Covid-19 hits. At the top of the list is upgraded HVAC systems to better filter airborne pathogens as well as increase fresh air circulation. A close second is UV technology to kill microbial particles (both incorporated into HVAC systems as well as other equipment options for sanitizing residential units and common areas). Other features include touchless and voice-command fixtures such as points of entry, lighting and temperature controls, elevators, etc. to reduce touchpoints that can spread disease.
Over the years, the senior living industry has worked hard to be about “lifestyle” design, amenities, and programming versus being perceived as too institutional, so communities would be appealing to our seniors and their children, helping to decide to move in. The winds have shifted a bit, and while I don’t think we want to get too institutional, of course, there is undoubtedly some redirection of focus into health and wellness features of new communities such as the above items discussed and more.
We look forward to seeing these ideas and initiatives take shape and form how new communities are designed and built to add additional layers of wellness. Please share your thoughts and plans for your future communities. We’d love to hear from you.
Don Diedrick
Director of Business Development
