Here we share design concepts and suggestions on how homes might be designed in the future to respond better to pandemic conditions and respiratory infectious outbreaks while considering how these environments support the quality of life of Long-Term Care (LTC) residents and staff.
The Design of Home Layout:
The design includes public indoor spaces and outdoor spaces, with separated spa rooms; interior and exterior courtyards; care nooks and staff support space with medication preparation space; living rooms; kitchenettes and dining areas with direct views to the outdoors; and shared outdoor areas with other households. During an outbreak, these households could be self-sufficient facilitating the cohorting of staff, residents, and care partners; direct access and screening through the living rooms; and continued outdoor access (shown as a dotted line in the bubble diagram). The rest of the home areas not in an outbreak could continue to function in the larger community setting.
The Design of Home Entrance and Exit Areas:
The design shown below illustrates one concept for a future LTC home entrance space which includes dedicating a path of travel for staff that is separated from visitors and residents to cohort groups and to help expedite staff entering the building during shift change.
We’ve come up with some ideas to renovate the entrance and exit spaces in 2 long-term care homes!
The Design of Storage Area:
PPE Storage Design
Our team has developed concepts that may be more appropriate to the functionality needed while balancing the residential quality of the design.
Staging Room
We are suggesting the design of a staging room that can serve multiple resident rooms to store PPE, improve access and maintain residents’ spaces. This room serves as an infection isolation anteroom in the household hallway, separated by a divider from the donning (clean zone) with clean supplies and access to incontinence supplies; and doffing (soiled zone) with hand hygiene and disinfecting products.
The Design of Shared Staff Spaces:
We show different design layouts for a ‘care nook’ which may serve as multi- purpose-shared space and support better sightlines to other areas of the household (i.e., private and shared resident spaces, household hallways) by using glazing walls throughout the space. In addition, this space includes a secured medication preparation area, and an interior work patio to create a more residential work atmosphere.
We’ve come up with some ideas to renovate the care spaces in 2 long-term care homes!
The Design of Private Resident Spaces:
We studied the design aspects of homes that undermined the ability of those living and working in these homes to practice or maintain IPAC measures during COVID-19 and some of the solutions that have been developed as a result. We’re suggesting that each resident room has a tiny built-in garbage area accessible from the hallway for LTC homes with no staging rooms.
Sightlines to Outdoor Spaces
Using anthropometric estimates, we analyzed the sightlines available to residents when looking out of their windows and balconies. To improve these sightlines, we proposed the installation of a glass railing to allow for clear vision for individuals using wheelchairs. This modification ensures clear vision for individuals who use wheelchairs. In addition, designing a wider balcony size (i.e., 6’ or 1829mm) would allow individuals using wheelchairs to rotate more freely in this space.
The Design of Shared Resident Spaces:
Designing non-institutional shared spaces with access to the outdoors may improve residents’ quality of life in LTC homes. The interior wall/ceiling/floor finishes, window treatments and furniture all contribute to the residential quality of the space. In addition, having a skylight in shared spaces increases exposure to natural light. To improve the flexibility, accessibility and safety in these spaces, we’re suggesting assigning parking spaces for carts and providing adjustable/flexible furniture to configure as needed – to encourage socialization or safe distancing.
