Why are many seniors living apartments not accessible or adaptable?
I'm often told there isn't enough space or margin for the extra cost of the perceived necessary increase in size. Sometimes I'm told it will cause awkward apartments, or inelegant & wasted space.
I don't agree.
Every retirement living apartment that is not adaptable or accessible carries the risk of the residents having to move out under duress, often leaving their familiar community & friends behind.
So, to prove my point, I've been randomly selecting retirement living apartments, assessing their accessibility, and resolving how they could have been designed for accessibility, in the same footprint, without loss of space or amenity &, where possible, improving the amenity within the same footprint.
Here's my first retirement living apartment case study:
No latch-side clearance to the master bedroom door
No accessible clearance between robes
Adaptable approach would result in a more elegant ensuite
With only 87 sqm internally available, I question the viability of a 7sqm single purpose room without a window (media room).
Too little clearance between couch & kitchen bench & living area is a multiple circulation space
Master bedroom too small to receive care
Kitchen not accessible & sink not adjacent cooktop
Direct line of sight between dining room & bathroom
Too much glazing to balcony resulting in only 1 furniture placement option - in the centre & nowhere for a BBQ, should one be permitted. It is also an 'inbound' balcony, not idea in Brisbane's subtropical climate
In the sketch design resolution, which took a little under 2 hours to do, the following resolutions are suggested, within the same footprint, resulting in:
Fully accessible kitchen, laundry, dining, living, balcony, master bedroom (Bed Rm1), walk-in-robe, media or multi-purpose room (which I still don't agree with as it has no access to natural light & ventilation), & an adaptable ensuite which, with the removal of shower screen & a small cabinet converts to fully accessible
Further improvements beyond the accessibility provisions now in place:
The bathroom is larger & can function as a second ensuite, with dual access for guests to use as well
The living area is no longer a space of many doors
There is appropriate separation between public & private spaces with the further possibility of closing the entire bedroom area off from the living areas
The secondary bathroom is discretely located
Bedroom 2 can be used not only as a bedroom, but can be a multi-purpose room (music room, study, separate dining room, media room)
With a small modification, bedroom 2 can link with bedroom 1, should 1 partner be the carer for the other partner
Kitchen has a view to the outside
Bedroom 1 has a small study & balcony
Suitable for unrelated individuals
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