The dramatic growth of the senior population presents an exciting opportunity to design and renovate housing to support aging in community.

Since by 2020, people 60 years old and over will comprise nearly 25 percent of Massachusetts’ population, the time is ripe for developers and owners of elderly housing and multifamily housing that is likely include seniors, to consider building characteristics and designs that will allow residents to remain in their homes as they age.

Adapting older buildings to the needs of elders who may live well into their late 90s is especially challenging. Our planned modernization of Golda Meir House, a 200-unit 36-year-old elderly housing development in Newton owned by Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly (JCHE), will not only enable our residents to remain in their homes, but also to live a full life of connection and purpose in a dynamic, supportive environment.

This modernization project provides valuable lessons about planning and designing building renovations and incorporating features that can enhance residents’ quality of life and allow them to feel comfortable and safe in their apartments as they age.

Ensuring Accessibility

One reason residents must often leave their long-term housing is a decline in mobility which requires either temporary or permanent wheelchair use or assistance with bathing and other necessities. Making units and especially bathrooms fully accessible is key. To address this issue, we are increasing the number of fully accessible bathroom units throughout the complex as well as maximizing the number of units that also have fully accessible kitchens.

Amy Schectman

Accessibility does not just relate to space needs for wheelchairs. It also applies to tactile aspects in the residence – anything requiring residents to push, pull or grasp. Examples include window hardware that can be operated with lower strength and arthritic hands, door hardware closers that operate on a slower speed and door lever handles that can be easily grasped.

Consideration of lighting, color and pattern is also critical as eyesight can fade. A higher level of lighting general is important, especially on work surfaces like counters. Contrasting color and material can make it easier to see. Patterns that are not too linear or busy can prevent visual confusion or dizziness.

Increasing Opportunities

Jennifer Pinck

Social interaction and connection is critical for seniors as research has proven that loneliness is a predictor of early death. Common areas in senior housing developments offer a fantastic opportunity to become active, vibrant village centers – hubs of exciting activity with enticing spaces, programs and energy to promote community and reinforce resident connectivity.

The Golda Meir building as designed in the 1980s focused staff and administrative areas near the lobby, convenient for staff. Circulation was for utilitarian purposes. Space to congregate or meet was secondary to operational functions. Now we are creating multiple spaces for programming, expanding places for residents to socialize, connect to each other and the outside world, while making our public spaces more transparent and welcoming.

Making flexible space available that can be programmed or left open for spontaneous uses is part of our strategy to make common areas vibrant.

Every aspect of the Golda Meir modernization will support enhancements that contribute to creating a meaningful and caring community – and community is the best antidote to loneliness ever invented.

Amy Schectman is president and CEO of Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly, a nonprofit, non-sectarian organization that owns and manages 1,200 units of affordable housing where older adults of all backgrounds can age in community. Jennifer Pinck is founder and CEO of Pinck & Co., which provides planning, design and construction management consulting services to owners and developers during all phases of capital projects.