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Humanistic Design of Assisted Living
Assisted living is a relatively new industry, and one with great potential for rapid growth as the population of mature adults grows. Tomorrow's senior population will be composed predominantly of baby boomers. In their responses to surveys, baby boomers have generally indicated a strong determination to remain active and independent for as long as possible. Assisted living arrangements offer the possibility of fulfilling this ambition, as they allow mature adults to maintain their own residences while receiving necessary help with daily activities. Ideally, they also provide pleasant communities of peers with which seniors can easily and conveniently socialize.

However, while many currently operating assisted living communities bill themselves as resident-centered, non-institutional and welcoming, consumer research shows that many seniors and their families find the buildings lacking in friendliness, homeyness and an atmosphere of support. In his book, John P. Marsden analyzes and interprets research data to argue for innovative design in assisted living homes. His workable suggestions are aimed at reversing negative perceptions and creating spaces consumers will warm to more easily.

In his comprehensive treatment of the subject, Marsden traces the evolution of the assisted living industry and then turns his attention to the research informing his "humanistic" approach. He describes successful design in terms of a conceptual framework that integrates six themes: familiar housing cues, protective enclosure, caring cues, human scale, usability, and naturalness. Each theme can be applied to interior, exterior and common area structure, and Marsden is clear and thorough in explaining his recommendations for all the above; photographs assist the presentation.

Noted designer and educator Benyamin Schwarz calls Marsden's work "an excellent guidebook for the design of assisted living housing ... A significant contribution to architects, planners, interior designers, landscape architects, and housing providers, as well as gerontologists and nursing home and assisted living administrators." The depth and breadth of consumer interest in the assisted living industry combined with the demonstrable failure of designers to create satisfactory structures thus far means a unique opportunity exists. Companies, by implementing Marsden's research-supported pointers, can tap into a huge market of mature adults and their families who want more out of assisted living.

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