The future of older adult health design centers on dignity, empathy, and community

This blog post was authored by Felix Kabo, Ph.D., M.Arch., M.S., Research Director, CannonDesign; and Margi Kaminski, RID, NCIDQ, ASID, EDAC, CLGB, Principal, Health Interior Design Leader, CannonDesign.

The growth of the U.S.’s aging population shows no signs of slowing down. Census data indicates a 38.6% increase in people over the age of 65 in just a decade, with projections of nearly 90 million by 2050.

This demographic shift, coupled with underinvestment in infrastructure and experiences for older adults, paints a stark picture of the future. The pandemic has further exposed the frailties in older adult health and post-acute care systems.

Indeed, post-acute care has integral ties to older adult care, as evidenced by 2019 research highlighting its vital capacity in the healthcare system to lower costs and improve health outcomes for older adults after hospitalization. With the aging population growing rapidly and household sizes shrinking, the urgency of addressing older adult healthcare and post-acute care systems is undeniable.

Last year, leadership across CannonDesign's health practice and research team got together to ideate visionary solutions for the future of post-acute care and to reimagine healthcare environments for older adults. This included addressing myriad challenges from staffing shortfalls and reduced reimbursements to escalating costs.

Design leaders were encouraged to conceptualize their ultimate vision in detail for older adult healthcare and post-acute care facilities. We then turned to AI to visualize these experiences. The resulting visions depict environments that emphasize comfort, dignity and community while seamlessly integrating design principles to transform our interaction with these healthcare spaces.

These ideal experiences, born from a mix of professional expertise and personal experiences, seek to establish a new standard for the future of older adult healthcare and post-acute care settings. The results were wide and varied, underscoring the ineffectiveness of a one-size-fits all approach. Understanding and embracing these differences is crucial for designers as we recognize that a universal solution is not always feasible.

Some imagined examples of older adult living and care spaces and design strategies included:

• Hallways that blend art and live elements of nature, offering a dynamic and sensory experience for older adults.
• An indoor sanctuary promoting peace and contemplation for older adults, with soft lighting and soothing decor.
• A vibrant and nature-enriched area within a facility, designed for engaging social activities among residents.
• An ideal home recovery setting that combines caregiver support with innovative technology for post-acute care.
• A patient corridor in an older adult living community that mimics a farmer’s market atmosphere, with natural light and a sense of community.

Most current older adult healthcare and post-acute care environments remain outdated, failing to meet the evolving physical and social needs and expectations of patients, highlighted by the pandemic. The disparity between these imagined cutting-edge environments and the current standard in healthcare facilities underlines a critical need for a shift in design ethos within older adult and post-acute care spaces.

We urge a deeper integration of experience design in healthcare settings, focusing not just on aesthetic appeal but also on creating spaces that genuinely enhance the patient experience. This approach advocates for a holistic view of healthcare design, where every aspect of the environment is crafted to support and uplift patients, addressing both their physical and emotional needs.