Apartment Design for Seniors in Atlantic, Iowa
When you reach your senior years, apartment design is no longer about creating something to match the pages of a fashionable home decor magazine. It's all about practicality and comfort because accessible living is imperative for seniors to maintain their independence, according to an article in the journal PLOS One.
Read on to discover the features you need in the best senior living apartments and how to ensure you and your loved one create a senior living interior that feels like a home from day one.
Aging-In-Place Apartment Layouts for Seniors
Senior apartment layout designs should be flexible enough to accommodate residents as their needs change with age. For example, seniors moving into a community living environment might have excellent mobility at the moment, but if that changes, having an accessible layout means they don't have to move apartments later on.
It's about creating a space where seniors can adapt to their unique needs and preferences.
At Allen Place, we achieve this by offering several floor plans, open-style living spaces, and accessibility-friendly features. We also provide a range of apartment sizes, allowing residents to find one that suits their budget and needs.
Aging-Friendly Design: Safety Features
In your senior years, you want an apartment that offers independence but also has some extra safety features that help reduce age-related risks, like falls and slips. It's easy to achieve this when you have a spacious, open-plan layout.
Anti-slip floors and grab bars are two simple features that can make life easier for older people. It's also a good idea to have rounded edges on items like dining tables to prevent sharp injuries in the event of a fall by a senior.
Other ways to make an apartment safer include reducing floor hazards, such as decorative objects and thick rugs. Creating a secure environment allows seniors to relax and enjoy their day without worry.
Stylish Kitchen and Kitchenette Designs
If you are a senior transitioning to assisted living, look for an apartment with a kitchen or kitchenette, especially if you enjoy cooking and entertaining guests.
The best designs offer modern conveniences that make the little things easier, such as cookers and microwaves that are easy to reach, eliminating the need to bend and strain your back. Additionally, consider layouts that are spacious enough to accommodate wheelchairs and walking aids in case you need them in the future.
Good lighting is vital in kitchens, as it makes it safer for you and reduces eye strain when preparing meals and reading recipes.
Accessible Spaces: Elegant Senior-Friendly Bathrooms
Having an accessible bathroom doesn't mean you have to compromise on style. There are some high-end walk-in shower suites available for senior living apartments that wouldn't look out of place in a top-rated hotel. And at Allen Place Senior Living, some of our apartments even feature an accessible whirlpool bath.
When choosing a senior living apartment, ensure the bathroom provides sufficient space to move around and features extra safety measures, such as grab bars and non-slip flooring.
While some communities (like Allen Place Senior Living) offer housekeeping and maintenance services, it's still a good idea to opt for tiling, flooring, and countertops that are easily wipeable so you can keep them looking pristine.
Functional Living: Well-Lit Rooms
Good lighting is vital for senior health, as it helps you avoid eye strain and reduces the risk of falls.
Look for apartments that feature a variety of lighting types, including ambient (overhead) lighting, task (reading) lighting, and accent lighting that helps give your private space a warm and welcoming feel.
You should also consider how the lighting will function if you need to get up and use the bathroom in the middle of the night. For example, you can install plug-in or motion sensor night lights to help illuminate hallways and reduce the risk of falls.
Allen Place Comfort: Smart Furniture Arrangements
Sometimes, spaces can feel twice the size with clever furniture arrangements, so keep this in mind when planning the layout of your senior apartment.
Arrangements that allow a room to flow make it easier to move around, which improves safety. Ensure that seating arrangements are sociable, allowing for easy conversations when you invite guests to your apartments.
Consider keeping the apartment clutter-free as well. If you are planning to move to a senior living community, ask family and friends if they can hold on to belongings that might clutter your new home. Alternatively, if you have furniture and decor items you no longer want, consider holding a yard sale before you move.
Practical Storage Solutions
Ample storage in senior living apartments helps keep clutter out of sight. Also, it means you don't have to compromise on your belongings.
Look for senior apartments with clever designs for storage, such as easy-to-reach shelves and built-in closets, which make rooms more streamlined with less bulky furniture.
Don't forget to add practical storage solutions to bathrooms and kitchens, such as pull-out shelves. These are small features, but they can go a long way in making daily tasks easier and ensuring an elderly person feels independent.
Add Personal Touches to Your Apartment
Personal touches make the difference between an apartment that looks like a show home and one that tells your life story. It should show your personality. If you are a bright, larger-than-life person, make sure that's reflected in your decor.
Add cushions, throws, colors, and ornaments that showcase something unique about you. Consider adding some meaningful touches to your new apartment, such as a gallery wall featuring your most treasured family photos.
Apartment Design for Seniors: Mastering the Small Details
Good apartment design for senior living starts with the small details, like easy, open layouts and little accessibility extras. If you master that, it becomes a home that enables you to enjoy retirement to the fullest.
With restaurant-style dining, on-site wellness programs, and beautiful courtyards, you'll experience the best retirement on your terms at Allen Place Senior Living, all within easy reach of the small-town charm of Atlantic, Iowa. Come and see our impressive apartments.