Redesigning the aged care experience

With over 16% of Australians aged 65 and over, Australia is an aging population. Mainly due to declining mortality, this double-edged sword means both the positive of a higher life expectancy for the average Australian and the consequence of age-related health conditions and reliance on services such as home care and residential aged care.

Aged care providers are beginning to recognise the need for products and services that more closely meet their customers’ needs and, importantly, their wants.

For those needing care on the earlier side of the spectrum at 65, it could mean 20 to 30 years living in an aged care residence. This adds even more weight to the responsibility of providers, not just regarding care, but quality of life and the experience of a home-away-from-home.

Gone are the days of hospital-style aged care residences, with providers such as TriCare exploring more person-centred facilities and redesigning the aged care experience. TriCare has championed this trend for many years, and you can see this paramount in the most recent build, TriCare Williams Landing.

“Our residents were front of mind throughout the entire design process, from selecting the location and site at the very beginning, all the way through to the artwork hung on the walls,” explains TriCare Property & Planning Manager, Simon Dwyer.

“Person-centred design principals are key to the happiness and wellbeing of our residents — accessibility, adaptability, creativity, comfort.”

And looking at TriCare Williams Landing, it’s evident that residents will thrive in their new home. Floor-to-ceiling windows yield natural light-filled spaces, proven to improve cognition and mood. An unpretentious layout and wide halls and entries facilitate mobility and assist navigation for those with cognitive impairments. Plentiful communal areas encourage social interaction, and amenities such as the beauty salon promote independent activities for residents.

Image caption: Onsite hair and beauty salon.

Wellbeing objectives have driven all TriCare’s residential aged care built in the last decade, with each new facility capitalising on the location of the residence and bringing the outside in.

“One of our primary considerations is how we can connect residents to the community and their natural surroundings. While residents have opportunities for outings, the Covid-19 pandemic was a reminder that access to space and amenities is essential to resident wellbeing,” says Simon.

In addition to a planted conservatory central to the layout and ample safe places to feel the sun or a breeze, TriCare Williams Landing is located adjacent to a protected nature reserve. This means residents will have undisrupted views of this reserve, in addition to views of Melbourne City and Altona Bay for many years to come.

The final touch? Subtle but significant interior design choices. TriCare balances hygiene with homely, utilising accents like cushions and books to create a homely over clinical feel. Pops of mustard, rust, sage, and seafoam awaken emotional responses and promote cheerful moods, while colour contrasts between floors and walls help with visibility. TriCare’s interior design process goes far beyond what looks appealing.

“What looks good must be balanced with what is functional, and not just functional for anyone, what is functional for our residents.”

This can be seen in long wide cupboard handles for those with reduced manual agility and in the curtains that can be pulled across by hand rather than blinds with cords or pulleys. Selected finishes in matte to reduce glare which can be difficult for senior eyes and certain eye conditions.

And just as TriCare’s design process has been developed over their last 54 years of operation, they are adamant it will continue to be refined in every new build.

“Our residents and their families’ needs and expectations change over time, and that’s where our design eyes are continuously focused,” explains Simon.

Top image: Premium resident accommodations.