AGELESS LIVING COMMUNITY

The Viva! Center for Independence & Longevity Ageless Living Community Sarah Summer Jackson August 7, 2012 HN365 Professor Robin Cooper Kaplan University

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Introduction What would you do if all of your best friends and relatives who were 70+ years of age showed up on your doorstep insisting on moving in with you? After you picked your jaw up off of the ground and shook yourself to see if you were truly awake, you more than likely would ask yourself why in the world you ignored all of the signs that so many of your loved ones needed help with the activities of daily living. With 78 million boomers, 300,000 a month, and 10,000 a day marching abruptly into their senior years, it is not surprising to find that we as a country are ill prepared to assist them with aging in their own homes and/or making transitions to new ones, even though we have known that this day was coming for over 65 years. The boomer generation that has influenced the development of products and services as it has moved through time, will accept nothing less than to be able to age with dignity in the comfort of a home that will allow them to continue to live the best quality of life possible. Boomers will expect to live in an environment that promotes healthy aging and well being, one that is an extension of their unique attributes both individually and as a cohort, re-defining the experience of aging for generations to come. Aging is Influenced by Genetics, Environment and Culture It could be said that healthy aging is a direct result of genetics, the environment and an individuals culture, in varying amounts, but which of these has the most influence on the aging process? Years of research suggests that in most cases it is really hard to tell because of the complexity of some of the disorders that accompany aging. The relative contributions of genetics and the environment in relation to aging can be seen in what is called nature vs. nurture (Foos & Clark, 2008). For example, a person may have a higher than usual chance of having heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes as a direct result of genetic inheritance (nature),

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but did he/she actually get the disease because of that genetic inheritance or from environmental reasons such as eating a diet that is high in saturated fat (nurture)? It would seem that both genetic and environmental factors can be responsible for many health related disorders (Genetics Home Reference, n.d.). Culture can also have a strong influence on eating habits and types of food eaten that can in turn be a factor in the development of disease that impairs the quality of life as a person ages. Theories of senescence, the change in biology of an organism as it ages, suggest that aging either follows a pre-determined plan (programmed theories), no plan (unprogrammed theories), or is somewhere in between (middle theories). A decline in the immune system that is so necessary for health in aging is thought to be caused by one of two of the theories of senescence, the leaky defense or the autoimmune hypotheses. The leaky defense hypothesis, a programmed theory, suggests that senescence is the result of an invasion by environmental toxins and organisms that damage the cells, tissues and organs of the body. The autoimmune hypotheses, an unprogrammed theory, suggests that senescence increases with age as the immune system begins attacking portions of the body that it is designed to protect (Foos & Clark, 2008). Again, it is likely to be a combination of both that determines how healthy a person will be as he/she ages. It is very normal for psychologists to make the assumption that developing children and adolescents are shaped by their environment and vice versa, but in the study of aging, the contribution of key elements in the home (physical, spatial), the community and technological environments are very often overlooked (Wahl, Iwarsson & Oswald, 2012). The author would like to suggest that healthy aging requires making this very same assumption about aging adults. If person-environment congruence, the unique combination of personal competence and
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environmental characteristics determines an individuals optimal level of functioning, it should be used as one of the most important goals for the design and development of any community or home built for aging adults. Where there has prior been a much larger focus on the social environment in these communities, there now should be at least as much effort put into the built environment, with the understanding that it has the power to give a person a stronger sense of identity, autonomy and well being (Wahl, Iwarsson & Oswald, 2012). The Viva! Center for Independence & Longevity Because aging in place in the home that one has lived in for years is most peoples desire, assisting the aging adult in living the healthiest life possible and in choosing appropriate services, resources, equipment and appliances etc. is extremely important. Doing this in the context of offering social opportunities with people of all ages from many different cultures is something that most people would also desire, if this type of environment existed. The Viva! Center for Independence & Longevity is a prototype of a built environment that would foster this type of support and interaction. The author would like to propose that the Viva! Center for Independence & Longevity could also function as a Continuing Care Retirement Community (a CCRC called the Viva! Ageless Living Community), with the second floor of the center being used for independent living and the third floor being used for assisted living and skilled nursing. Membership in the center would make the transition from home much easier and more acceptable for the aging adult who has been active and participating in community activities and events as well. Please visit this link for more information about the Viva! Center for Independence & Longevity. www.centerforiandl.weebly.com

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Physical Changes that Influence the Design of The Viva! Ageless Living Community Loss of vision, muscle strength and the onset of chronic arthritis are three of the physical changes that have influenced the design of The Viva! Ageless Living Community. Changes in vision include slower adaptation from light to dark and a decline in peripheral vision which both call for more dramatic differences in color between walls and flooring and more open spaces with focal points that draw the eye, and do not require the use of peripheral functioning to enjoy. The community is also well lit with both natural and environmentally friendly overhead and accent lighting. Muscle fiber tends to become stiff and muscles decline in tone, flexibility and strength as one grows older. By the age of 70, a persons muscle strength may have declined by 10 to 20 percent, and this loss of strength is most pronounced in the lower extremities (Foos & Clark, 2008). The floor plan of The Viva! Ageless Living Community is designed so that those residents who can walk will have many short distances to travel with plenty of seating in scenic locations where plants and nature can be enjoyed. The flooring is slip resistant and easy to walk on. Resistance exercising which can help to maintain muscle strength can be done in the Center for Independence & Longevity. Living quarters are designed for easy access and use and they are furnished with furniture that aids residents in sitting and standing as needed. Those who have arthritis, a breakdown of bone and cartilage at the joints, and/or when the immune system attacks the joints, will more than likely need some help with fine motor skills due to the amount of pain experienced when trying to perform some of the activities of daily living (Foos & Clark, 2008). In an effort to make life more comfortable for people with arthritis, The Ageless Living Community has doors and sinks with lever handles and controls, push button controls on appliances and offers assistance with dressing and bathing when needed. There are
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nutritional experts available in the Center for Independence & Longevity that can definitely assist with minimizing the symptoms of arthritis and support groups are available as well.

Psychological Changes that Influence the Design of The Viva! Ageless Living Community Psychological changes that have influenced the design of The Viva! Ageless Living Community include memory loss, depression and a change in intelligence as it relates to the coordination and processing of information. Memory loss can take on a variety of different characteristics that are unique to an individuals circumstances. The Viva! Ageless Living Community offers residents a color coded system (keys, walls and floors) that is easy to use, so that visiting the dining room, social activities rooms and returning back to a residents living quarters is easy to do, in the case of a lapse of memory. The community also has a game room with many different types of games that are designed for memory challenge and retention. The Viva! Ageless Living Community environment is designed to promote peaceful, happy feelings and thoughts. This coupled with the fact that the community is full of activity and things to do can give residents with depression a real emotional lift. Truth be known, depression will have a very hard time surviving here. The resident dining room chef serves gourmet vegetarian as well as mainstream and cultural healthy foods, there is a fruit bar fully stocked with healthy snacks available throughout the day, and residents have full access to all of the healthy smoothies and drinks prepared in the Center for Independence and Longevity. Music is piped in and residents can make their requests each week, there are opportunities to swim, workout, walk, volunteer, work and garden. Living quarters serve as a unique extension of each residents personality, style, and history. Residents are encouraged to bring their most important

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memoirs and furniture and to decorate their space in whatever way they choose, even to the extent that they can decide what color they want their walls to be, and they can even bring their pets to live with them. Changes in intelligence related to aging while initially difficult for residents, will soon be offset by all of the services and amenities of The Viva! Ageless Living Community and the Center for Independence & Longevity. When a resident has experienced a loss of procedural memory, the memory of how to do something for example, the Viva! Concierge is available to assist him/her with scheduling appointments and getting to them (Foos & Clark, 2008). If a resident is still living independently, the concierge can also recommend and coordinate life services providers who can assist the resident with dressing, bathing, cooking, and other activities of daily living when and if needed. There is a library with computers, there are seminars to learn new things, and there are support groups where residents can spend time with others who share the same experience.

Design that Seeks to Diminish the Changes Associated with Aging There are many intrinsic physical, psychological and social design elements that can be found in The Ageless Living Community that seek to diminish the effects of aging. Visitors will attest to the fact that they would have virtually no way of knowing that they are in a building that houses over 100 aging adults who have a wide variety of capabilities. There are virtually no areas in the community where a resident has to take a step up or down, the building has many windows that let in a lot of natural light, walkways and seating in all areas including the dining room are all ergonomically designed, and all resident living quarter bathrooms are fully equipped with the latest aging in place features including a walk in shower with seating and pull down

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shower head, a comfort height toilet, sinks that can be adjusted to accommodate standing or sitting, grab bars, and easy to use faucets and cabinets to name a few. Psychologically, residents may actually feel like they have gone to heaven. All colors are warm and inviting, plants abound and waterfalls seem to actually be a part of the structure, light accentuates the features of the building. Knowing that the staff is there to serve, and that the professionals in the Viva! Center for Independence & Longevity are there to meet a residents psychological needs providing talk therapy, a form of life review where residents can discuss some of the most relevant aspects of their life, gives everyone peace of mind (Foos & Clark, 2008). This is an environment that seems to anticipate each residents every move. Lights go on as a person walks, shelves move up and down with the touch of a hand, music is soothing and nature is close at hand. Weekly story time where residents share a story from their life is fun and it gives everyone a sense of satisfaction. Residents are also encouraged to share their wisdom with younger generations in many different ways, one of which is assisting with the planting and maintenance of the centers roof and window gardens. All residents enjoy the fresh produce and beauty that the gardens provide, but for those living on the top floor in assisted living and skilled nursing, there is a special bonus. They can watch the activity going on from their living quarters through the ceiling which is something like a huge skylight. When it comes to socializing, The Viva! Ageless Living Community has so much going on that it is rare for a resident not to find something they enjoy doing with other people who live in the community and with the members of the Center for Independence & Longevity. Residents are encouraged to keep up with and invite friends and family, members of their social network to the community as often as they would like, just as they did when they were living at home. Emotional support, help that is intended to relive sadness, lift our spirits and comfort us, much of

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the time comes from the people we have had in our lives for years (Foos & Clark, 2008). Residents are also encouraged to participate in community activities and to meet new friends. There are craft classes, game rooms, card games, book clubs, dances, live music, church services and in the case where there is not any virtual field trip equipment in the Center for Independence & Longevity, there is a virtual field trip room where residents can visit places all over the world, a zoo in Australia, the Baseball Hall of Fame, the Coral Reef, they can even talk to their guide, ask questions and it feels like they are actually there! The Viva! Ageless Living Community The CCRC model of aging has quite a bit of appeal to a broad spectrum of people because it allows aging adults to live in one place for the duration of their life with future care being planned for and readily available (AARP, n.d.). One of the key components in the development of a living environment for aging adults in this century, is to start with a plan that includes not only universal design and green living principles, but one that has a solid infrastructure for the use of technology that supports aging in place. Monitoring of vitals and face to face appointments with ones doctor, shopping, and chatting with friends and loved ones are just some of the things that now can be done with the use of a computer. Sensor systems that monitor lack of movement, appliances and the communitys sound system all require the proper technical planning as well. The Viva! Ageless Living Community has the best in available technology. A second key component in the development of a living environment for aging adults is as was stated earlier, person-environment congruence. A study of assisted living residents was conducted by Kane and Wilson (1993), and it was concluded that even people with a higher level of impairment could experience good adaptation when there was a good fit between the physical
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and social needs of residents, and the resources of a community (Foos & Clark, 2008). The Viva! Ageless Living Community has been designed with the abilities, needs and desires of residents in mind. A third key component in the development of a living environment for aging adults is to make sure that all administration and staff are trained and understand the importance of encouraging a residents choice and control over as many of the aspects of their daily living as is possible. Administration when developing rules for the community should answer these questions: Does this rule unnecessarily limit resident choice? Am I thinking about implementing this rule simply because it would make things easier on my staff? Could any of these rules be changed to permit more resident choice and control? Allowing residents to decide when to wake up and when to go to bed, to go for a walk or exercise if and when they wish, to take a bath rather than a shower, to cook if they would like, to go somewhere, and to choose what they would like to eat are all examples of giving residents more control and a choice over their daily activities (The Long Term Care Community Coalition, n.d.). The Viva! Ageless Living Community has trained administration and staff who are constantly reassessing how to give every resident a sense of choice and control. Summary and Conclusion The design of the Viva! Ageless Living Community was influenced by the physical, psychological and social needs of the aging adult. Lifestyle choices abound in the community, a resident can choose between learning more about healthy cooking, going to a dance, or going on a virtual field trip. They can also choose the type of food they would like to eat, what color they would like to paint their living quarters, what pet they would like to have, and when they would

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like to invite friends and/or family for dinner. There are plenty of social, recreational and educational opportunities available on a daily basis. Interaction with members of The Viva! Center for Independence & Longevity is encouraged as well. The health and well-being of community residents is of utmost importance, and every resident is treated with respect. Lifestyle options are even custom tailored to meet a residents unique needs. All of these community features, and a residents ability to experience some autonomy by being able to make choices and exercise some control over the many aspects of their life, all work together to promote resident self-identity and ultimately increase resident life span. The boomer generation that has influenced the development of products and services as it has moved through time, will accept nothing less than to be able to age with dignity in the comfort of a home that will allow them to continue to live the best quality of life possible. Boomers will expect to live in an environment that promotes healthy aging and well being, one that is an extension of their unique attributes both individually and as a cohort, re-defining the experience of aging for generations to come. This home is The Viva! Ageless Living Community with all of its many amenities and trained and caring staff.

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References AARP. (n.d.). Continuing Care Retirement Communities: What They Are And How They Work. Retrieved from http://www.aarp.org/relationships/caregiving-resource-center/info-092010/ho_continuing_care_retirement_communities.html. Foos, P. & Clark, M. (2008). Human Aging, (2nd ed.). Allyn & Bacon. Genetics Home Reference. (n.d.). Inheriting Genetic Conditions. Retrieved from http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/inheritance?show=all. The Long Term Care Community Coalition (LTCCC - formerly the Nursing Home Community Coalition) Coalition of Institutionalized Aged and Disabled (CIAD). (n.d.). Strategies for Management in an Evolving Industry. Retrieved from http://www.assistedliving411.org/ltcccbuttons/documents/MgmtStrategies_001.pdf . Wahl, H., Iwarsson, S., & Oswald, F. (2012). Aging Well and the Environment: Toward an Integrative Model and Research Agenda for the Future. Gerontologist, 52(3), 306-316.

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