How design can help care homes to embrace intergenerational living

After the last 18 months the benefits offered by intergenerational living need little explanation. The concept of different generations living together, sharing resources, skills and experience can help to build a robust community.

Tackling isolation, providing support and keeping mentally and physically fit are some of the huge benefits that such a way of living can provide, all of which are essential for our elderly’s health and wellbeing.

Provision of care homes have often been developed through the repurposing of existing buildings or extending which, in the event of the Covid 19 pandemic, gave way to glaring issues with infection control.

This led to imposed isolation even in a setting that was meant to be inclusive. Design for new builds can embrace the space given and encourage an intergenerational focus.

Design can counteract all of these negative implications, providing so many more opportunities for the elderly. Allowing people to live together but also apart, with their own private personal space, whilst allowing access to all ages is a recipe for success. Whether this be a dedicated intergenerational village or the inclusion of community facilities within a care setting, both provide the interaction that all ages require and can nurture for their mutual benefit.

Simply because someone has reached their 3rd generation, it does not mean that they wish to remove themselves from interaction and society. Many thrive on this contact and are entering a phase of life when time and experience are in abundance, and they are happy to use it wisely.

Mixed tenure housing, with one bedroom care apartments alongside more substantial family homes, can be one solution. The interaction would be large as a neighbourhood community develops, bringing purpose to the elderly people’s day and reducing feelings of loneliness.

The increased mental stimulation is proven to combat depression and for the younger parties it can help with experience, knowledge and most of all fun in enjoying each other’s company.

Another solution might be a care setting surrounded within its grounds with local shops, coffee shops, office rentals, allotments, libraries, hairdressers, or community meeting spaces. These would all bring interaction, vibrancy and life to the area.

Bringing facilities into the care home setting that people of varying age come to use will encourage interaction.

Carless + Adams has designed an intergenerational scheme at Dudbrook Care Home in Brentwood.

The new 62 bed care home maximises its green belt status by welcoming a nursery onsite positioned to maximise the landscape and natural surroundings, whilst providing each facility with privacy from the other when required.

This integration between the elderly and very young has meant that both parties are able to play a large part in the wider community.

Intergenerational living aims to improve quality of life as well as allowing for the care home to play a bigger part within its community by providing benefits to elderly residents and younger people.

The pandemic has shown that society can be so supportive, and could be a positive learning to take forward, embrace and live by.

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