Many Baby Boomers (born between 1949 and 1964) are selling their homes and looking for safe, convenient communities amongst their peers. They desire and expect independent living with access to lots of amenities—movie theaters, pools, gyms, spas, salons, and the like. These options are above and beyond the typical healthcare, skilled nursing, and specialized medical units that have long been hallmarks of senior living facilities. Suffice to say, the demands in terms of design for senior dwellings are now more varied and expansive.
That being said—the more things change, the more they stay the same. While the types of senior residences have become more diverse, designers must focus on ever-present priorities when envisioning spaces for this unique cohort: safety, durability, ease of maintenance, and, of course, aesthetic appeal. Whether specifying for a community gathering space, a personal residence, entertainment venue, or medical facility, designers must keep in mind these key elements. When it comes to flooring that answers these priorities, Crossville is at the forefront of solutions for surfaces for senior living.
Safety first: Citing slippery surfaces as a culprit, researchers determined that more than a third of seniors over the age of 65 slip and fall each year. Notably, 80 percent of those falls occur in the bathroom. Slip-fall prevention is a must in a senior facility, and Crossville develops products and solutions with this in mind. Did you know that Crossville adheres to wet DCOF AcuTest™ to better support appropriate tile selections? All Crossville flooring products are tested using the DCOF AcuTest™ method. We provide full DCOF performance details on our website and product information to help designers easily identify the best tile products with the right performance for various areas.
Whatever they dish up: Seniors are looking for communities that offer specific lifestyle features. From yoga classes to wine tastings, senior facilities are packing out event calendars. With facilities needing to serve multipurpose functions, the flooring must meet the demand for high traffic and easy maintenance. Crossville’s durable porcelain tile collections are ideal for demanding environments. Dense porcelain tile bodies stand up to whatever seniors might dish out.
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For example, check out the renovation of the Coral Gables Adult Activity Center. Mixing multiple Crossville tile collections throughout the facility, designers were able to provide the beauty and durability necessary in a space that’s modern, welcoming, and poised to perform well for the long-term.
On-trend yet timeless: In addition to the activities’ centers in senior living facilities, the health care areas must be modern, efficient, on-trend with design standards. Beyond the advancement of technology, processes, and procedures, the healthcare industry has embraced interior design as part of best practices for overall patient care. Recognizing that aesthetics and functionality of recovery spaces contribute to patients’ wellbeing, health care areas in senior living facilities are transforming patient care by incorporating design trends from the hospitality market.
For example, AMD Global in Lake Charles, Louisiana, paid unique attention to how the visual aesthetics impact the effects on how patients feel. The team put a great deal of focus on the selection of tile for the bathrooms. Tile is easy to clean and maintain while also providing a more upscale, almost spa-like appeal for patients and their families.
As the Baby Boomer population continues to age, the demand for senior living facilities is increasing at a tremendous rate. If you’re looking for additional inspiration ideas, check out our “multifamily facility” case studies.
