Florida is a popular destination for seniors, with its balmy weather and array of activities. While many retirees choose to downsize and move into an assisted living community or retirement community, others opt to stay in their place as long as possible.
To make these places safe and comfortable for aging residents, it’s important to balance aesthetics with safety features. Here are five ways that senior living in Florida balances aesthetics and safety in home design.
Universal Design Principles
One way that Florida senior living achieves this balance is by using universal design principles. This means that the houses are accessible and usable by people of all ages and abilities.
For example, doorways are wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair, and there are no steps leading into or out of the home. This not only makes the home more aesthetically pleasing but also safer for residents who may have difficulty navigating stairs or getting around in general.
Use of Muted Colors
Another way that senior living in Florida ensure safety while preserving aesthetics is by using muted colors and soft lighting. This creates a calming atmosphere and helps to avoid the feeling of being in a hospital or institution.
At the same time, kitchens and bathrooms are typically designed with safety in mind, with non-slip flooring and plenty of counter space to accommodate residents who may have limited mobility.
Fall Prevention Techniques
One of the main safety issues for retired older adults living in any kind of community is falls. In resident rooms and bathrooms, grab bars and handrails with LED or amber lights are being used more frequently.
The development of fresh lighting items in the market has helped increase safety in resident flats without appearing institutional. Some feature sensor technology to detect motion and switch on when a resident gets out of bed, such as bedframe lights or table lamps.
Another design element that causes falls is flooring. Patterns should not be overly busy or colorful in assisted living communities since this might be disturbing for residents with vision impairment or confusion.
Outdoor Environment
Communities often use outdoor spaces such as gardens and walking paths, which help to create a sense of community and encourage socialization. This is another way that senior living communities in Florida manage to balance aesthetics and safety, as it allows residents to enjoy the outdoors without having to leave the community.
It also creates a sense of community and encourages socialization. This helps residents feel like they’re a part of something, rather than living in a sterile environment.
Shifting Styles
Designers are seeing changes in furniture design as well, notably the popularity of items from the mid-century modern era. Many claims that it is a design problem to make this style safe and pleasant for older individuals.
To keep up with these design changes, retirement communities are recommended to recommended for communities to avoid buying any furniture that is overly heavy or has sharp edges or corners. This is to make sure it is safe and in order to prevent residents from catching their clothing on furniture or bumping into them and hurting themselves.
