Long-Term Care: Bringing Home & Care Together

Designing to Address an Aging Population

We understand the changing needs and challenges of an aging population and believe there is a need to focus on the design of buildings and communities to address this change.

The healthcare industry is quickly approaching a new paradigm for long-term care and community health, one that combines memory care, community wellness, aging networks and home health care. This new model goes beyond treating illness and creates long-term care facilities that feel more like home, where residents know they’re safe and that care is at hand without the need for relocation.

We enhance this model to recognize that all seniors are as valuable contributors to their communities now as they ever were.

To accomplish this, the contemporary long-term care facility must bridge the gap between home and care by redefining the roles of the community, resident, family and staff, and establish new ground rules to foster integration and engagement. Facilities are seeking to harmonize care and a sense of belonging not only in the resident experience, but also in the collective experiences and needs of the larger community.

Environments can shape behaviours, self-esteem, outcomes and success. Our designs promote stimulating spaces — places that celebrate life rather than regulate it.

Through the development of flexible and innovative facilities and improved delivery models, the long-term care facility becomes a proactive care leader and community catalyst, connecting new approaches to care delivery with education and technology.

Strategies to Merge Home and Care

Challenging Status Quo in Memory Care
Design environments with “touch as memory.” Stimulate memory with interactive spaces that encourage engagement using all the senses.
Incremental Care; a Real Take on Flexibility
Incorporate flexibility to enhance privacy and independence. Develop programs that are able to accommodate diverse care and minimize disruption as residents' needs evolve over time.
A Meaningful Day
Design spaces for both formal and informal recreation and reinforce “people helping people.” All residents can benefit from shared social engagement and a sense of purpose.
Regard for Caregivers
Balance operational efficiency and reduce travel distances with uplifting, naturally lit spaces to facilitate improved workdays, helping staff engage with elders in a positive and supportive environment.

“The new long-term care facility will serve as the portal between community health providers and a rapidly increasing aging population, connecting residents with expertise and innovation in a senior clinical care, education, and social engagement.”

Barbara Miszkiel

Health Director, Canada East

“The long-term care facility of the future will be the nexus of home healthcare, memory care, assisted living and health education that engage all generations, young and old, in the community.”

James Chapman

Senior Project Architect