E20 – Creating Accessible Environments for Aging

Nursing care neighborhoods function as a behavioral system. The experiences our buildings offer, from the parking lot to the resident/patient bed, set the stage for a variety of clinical outcomes. This presentation will not only define the key strategies care providers can implement to improve outcomes and increase satisfaction (addressing noise, cleanliness, wayfinding, etc.), it will provide a dynamic discussion surrounding the empirical research correlating facility design and emotional well-being. Participants will learn how their building can better support patients and families and discuss strategies that can be implemented in a variety of LPC settings.

As the senior living industry evolves, sustainability must be recognized not as a luxury, but as a fundamental design principle that enhances quality of life and long-term value. This session will explore how sustainable strategies—such as all-electric, energy-efficient systems, healthy materials, high-performance envelopes, passive design, and biophilic elements—can create environments that support physical health, mental well-being, and social engagement for older adults. Contrary to common assumptions, these approaches do not have to increase development costs and can significantly reduce operational expenses over time. Through case studies of both market-rate and affordable senior housing projects, attendees will learn how sustainability can be implemented across diverse budgets and contexts. The session will also highlight innovative solutions that enable developments to achieve zero utility costs by leveraging on-site renewable electricity, offering both financial resilience and environmental stewardship. As the next generation of older adults becomes more engaged, informed, and climate-conscious, these strategies are not just beneficial—they are expected. Attendees will leave with practical insights and scalable ideas to create healthier, more resilient, and future-ready senior living communities.

Now that the baby boomer generation is aging, we need to consider how this impacts our built environment - an overview of design considerations along with lighting and color which can easily be addressed now to not only allow us to age in place later but also to have others visit us whether they have issues concerning accessibility or aging, whether just slowing down, or have a more debilitative disability. This session goes beyond the minimum standards of technical accessible design, addressing good design practices and implementation overall. We will discuss common areas of concern and issues of aging and our built environment thru photographs of both good and more challenging examples of typical elements.