Case Study: Mother of Perpetual Help Memory Care Addition
The fusion of design and human experience is apparent in the development of memory care communities. Improving the quality of life for residents and their families is the primary aim of such initiatives. We aim to create functional, secure, and nurturing environments that evoke the essence of home. This case study explores a project that epitomizes this ethos: the Mother of Perpetual Help Memory Care Addition. The provided insights dive into the architectural strategies and considerations that contributed to the success of the project.
This memory care community is centered around the household model, an approach aimed at fostering community and belonging among residents. Unlike traditional institutional settings, this model places residents into small groups, creating a more intimate environment reminiscent of your home. This design philosophy was driven by the understanding that the physical environment plays a crucial role in influencing social interactions, engagement, and, ultimately, the well-being of individuals with memory care needs. This philosophy is emphasized in the architectural layout: two thirteen-unit households that mirror one another, where its residents share dining, living, and activity spaces. The other common spaces in the community, such as the courtyard, salon, and therapy room, are centrally located and shared between the two households.
“Our newest memory care communities, Michael and Gabriel, align with Cardinal Ritter Senior Services’ values of providing dignity, hospitality, service, excellence, compassion and joy. With beautiful and easily accessible common areas, exposure to natural lighting and carefully selected wayfinding architecture, our memory care residents live a full life with dignity and joy.”
A key factor in the project's success is its thoughtful site plan and architectural design, prioritizing ease of access for family members and visitors. Unlike typical senior living facilities with complex corridors, this community ensures close parking for family members, fostering a welcoming atmosphere. When they arrive, they walk up to the front porch to enter the home and can often see their loved ones right there in the living room. This accessibility enhances family engagement, facilitating visits, even if brief, and maintaining strong familial bonds.
The architectural layout integrates community spaces such as an open kitchen, dining area, and living room to promote social interaction, as it is vital for keeping memories active. According to the Director of the Pepper Institute on Aging, “Our built environments should support and inspire us at any age. They can enhance our well-being when they invite opportunities for many different types of activities and social interactions, and for people with varying levels of functional ability.” In the past, memory care residents were often confined to nursing homes, spending a lot of time alone in their rooms with limited activities. Now, there's a focus on communal living where residents are encouraged to spend more time interacting in shared spaces.
Large windows and access to a shared courtyard reinforce the connection to the outdoors, crucial for residents' physical and mental health. Natural light floods the interior, supporting circadian rhythms and creating a bright and vibrant atmosphere. The owner's understanding of the impact of natural light on mental health was crucial in overcoming budgetary concerns. By prioritizing this, compromises were made elsewhere, such as reducing vaulted ceilings and exterior brick, rather than compromising on window sizes. The courtyard serves as a central outdoor space for activities, designed with accessibility and safety in mind.
“Before even opening the door, families and visitors can see our residents interacting with one another and co-workers, playing games, exploring crafts or just sharing lunch together. The more our residents are in the communal spaces, the better our staff can quietly monitor changes in their health and behavior.”
An innovative aspect of the design is the allocation of space. Resident rooms are intentionally modest, encouraging interaction in communal areas. This maximizes the use of common spaces and fosters a vibrant community where residents engage with each other and their families. The project’s emphasis on creating a home-like environment extends to its careful consideration of architectural details that define separate spaces within a larger area. The use of varying ceiling heights, the strategic placement of a central fireplace, and the delineation of spaces with architectural elements such as coffered ceilings, contribute to a setting that, while open and inclusive, allows for the creation of intimate gathering spots. These design choices facilitate private conversations and small group activities, enhancing the overall experience for residents and their families.
Feedback from caregivers and families has underscored the success of the project's design in enhancing engagement and the quality of life for residents. The ease of access, the warmth of the communal spaces, and the overall aesthetic appeal of the facility have significantly increased family visitation, creating a vibrant, interactive community. This heightened level of family involvement not only benefits the residents but also raises the standard of care, as caregivers are motivated to match the expectations of the engaged and present family members.
“More often than not, when I come visit, Mom is engaged in an activity - painting, or creating something - which is fantastic. There is always laughter at the table when the house members are doing an activity. Since moving to Gabriel, she seems less anxious than at her previous location, and I sense it is because she is keeping busy, and not just sitting around all day.”
This memory care project showcases the transformative power of architecture when applied with empathy and innovation. By reimagining memory care facilities as communities that mirror the comforts of home, the project sets a new benchmark for design excellence in senior living. It underscores the potential of architecture to create spaces that meet physical needs while nourishing the mind, fostering connections that transcend traditional care settings. Ultimately, it’s a beautiful space that was worth creating for the human condition.
