Quaint little old folks sitting on rocking chairs? If that's your idea of retirement living, guess again. Today's senior communities are far more likely to offer dance and exercise classes, outings to the mall, cultural and educational programs, and lots of camaraderie.

With people living longer and in better health, there's a building boom in housing to meet the needs of senior citizens. There's a big variety in what these communities offer and what they cost.

At one end of the scale are basic apartment buildings designed for seniors. At the other end of the spectrum are nursing homes and assisted living centers, facilities aimed at those who may need medical care or help with the necessities of daily living. Somewhere in between are the communities which allow people to stay independent as long as they're able, and then offer stepped up care as needed. The housing options page on the AARP web site can help you sift through the options.

From a design standpoint, many of the same architectural elements are found across the senior living spectrum. Many of these features can also be adapted for seniors who want to stay in their own homes.

Enter an apartment at First Centrum LLC's senior apartments at Manchester Lakes in Alexandria, Virginia, and you'll notice there is no traditional doorknob. Sales Director Shirley St. Jean says all the entrances have levers to "help with arthritic hands." She notes that only one key is required to enter the units, and the keys are large to make them easier to handle.

One common feature of senior living spaces is emergency pull cords. These are usually located in the bathrooms and bedrooms and prompt a response by security personnel. At the Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, security people respond even if a phone is left off the hook.

Bathroom design is very important for seniors, since the bathroom is often the place where falls and accidents occur. Grab bars are common in bathtubs and showers, and toilets may be a bit higher than usual. Tubs and medicine cabinets may be a bit lower.

Architect Kevin Glover, Vice President of Development Services at Erickson Retirement Communities, says bathroom access is also important. Many of Erickson's units feature bathrooms with two doors. It can make rescue easier should someone fall. If someone does slip in the bathroom and reaches out for something to break their fall, Glover notes that Erickson's towel bars are "grab bar strength. You can do pull-ups on them." In addition, Glover says in the case of bathrooms, bigger is not better. He says a smaller room can be easier to navigate for many people since there's always something to hold onto.

Erickson Retirement Communities, which has developments in seven Midwest and Eastern states, recently won the National Association of Home Builders Icons of the Industry Award in the "service-enriched" builder/developer category. Unless you're looking carefully, you may not even be aware of some of Erickson's features. In working with seniors, the Glover says the company found "they don't want their units to look special in any way. We try to be subtle about all these features."

One such subtlety are the windows. Glover says they're much larger than average, since seniors tend to spend more time in their units. The natural light helps provide a psychological boost. In the apartments at Manchester Lakes, windowsills are large. St. Jean says it's great for residents who want to have their "plants or kitty cats sit in the window."

Another subtlety can be noted in the kitchens at Manchester Lakes. The controls on the stove are on the front, rather than the rear, to make access easier and help prevent accidents. Cabinets are just a little lower to accommodate those who are a bit shorter, or perhaps suffering from osteoporosis. Sinks have one-handled levers to help those with arthritic hands.

Retirement communities offer a wide variety of services to help their residents enjoy their new homes. Sherwood Oaks features weekly light housekeeping and a flat laundry service. When Bill Esler moved into his home at Sherwood Oaks almost two years ago, he says a maintenance worker was even sent to help him hang pictures on the wall. It immediately made his new place feel more like home.

Tomorrow: A look at public spaces and social activities in retirement communities.

Carol Ochs is a Washington-based reporter who covers new home trends.

Published: May 15, 2001

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