practical living
open to the public. Consideration should be
given to co-location with childcare centres
or schools to encourage intergenerational
programs using technology as a foundation.
Achieving these goals will require close
cooperation between operators, care
staff, technology developers, scientific
researchers and architects/interior designers.
The following concept is focused on
a care facility where residents are happy,
engaged and stimulated, and staff are
inspired by their working environment.
The concept is broken up into four main
areas within the care facility.
1. Community indoor play space
The community indoor play space will be
located close to the entry and reception
areas and be visible from the street. It will
be a welcoming area for the community
and residents to enjoy. A mix of digital and
physical activities will be available for all
ages, particularly young children and the
elderly. It will be separated and secured from
the rest of the aged care facility, yet close to
the main reception, allowing for supervision
and assistance as required.
Digital and sensory playgrounds will
provide an enjoyable experience for family
and friends. The area will be fun to explore,
with bright interiors, colourful digital art,
different textures on the walls, and sensory
discovery. It will lead to an outdoor space
that draws people in, with outdoor seating,
a play area and lots of colourful plants.
This will provide more access to the
outside world and help the residents feel
more connected to their community.
The indoor play space will provide the
perfect venue for an intergenerational
playgroup, where the young and elderly
can participate in group activities. More
2. Semi-private seating areas
An entrance close to the reception area will
take you through to a more secured area
within the residential facility. This area will
provide a diverse setting for semi-private
interactions with families, friends and carers.
Inspired by modern coworking offices,
community and student housing design,
there will be different seating nooks catering
for different purposes. Small seating
areas cater for individuals or small group
gatherings, and more spacious areas will
be suitable for birthday parties and larger
gatherings. The area will be quite large and
open, allowing for good passive surveillance
and supervision, yet will provide space for
private conversation with friends and family.
Smart TVs, virtual and augmented reality,
computer games, visual interactive and
immersive tools will assist with learning,
interaction and memory enhancement.
These tools are conversation starters,
helping to connect families and encouraging
physical movement without feeling like
it’s exercise.
How about a digital photo booth for family
engagement? This could allow the family to
take photos and post them on social media,
as well as have fun with filters and effects.
3. Semi-private, purpose-built rooms
Adjacent to the semi-private seating area are
custom purpose-built rooms with different
activities that the residents can easily wander
in and out of. These are separate rooms for
different activities for residents, families and
carers including:
•
a movie room, semi-enclosed to
invite residents to watch movies and
documentaries
•
a virtual reality/games room for fun
interactive physical gaming, and
•
a large room which could be used for
educational purposes, group exercise or
therapeutic therapies.
4. Private activity stations
As you move through the care facility you
will get to a more secured area which is
only available to residents and their carers.
This area will be much quieter, calm and will
act as an intermediary space between the
louder social areas and the residents’ rooms.
The space will allow carers and residents
to have meaningful/personal conversations,
get to know each other, explore personal
interests and share stories.
The area will house a mix of activity
stations and interactive screens, which are
perfect for two people to use together. Think
about an activity station with buttons next
to images of wildlife or nature that trigger
different sounds, or a station that allows you
to plug into a documentary or short movie.
The stations will be fixed throughout the
facility and corridors, helping the residents
to navigate around their environment.
By using creative design and making
the most of technology, we can construct
spaces that encourage intergenerational
play and connection. If we can’t bring the
residents to the community, we must bring
the community to the residents by creating
a space they will want to visit again and
again. With the technology and design at our
fingertips, the future never looked so good. ■
Daniela Kaiser is senior interior architect
at Allen Jack+Cottier, specialising in aged
care, dementia and seniors’ living design.
Gloup ® Raspberry
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reserved residents may benefit from sitting
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Gloup ® is a slippery lubricated
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email: [email protected] phone: 02 9231 7200 web: www.gloup.com.au
Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, consult your healthcare professional.
Gloup™ is a registered trademark. Mundipharma Pty Limited. FD19093 AU-4970 May19
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