Modern retirement developments are shaking off their bland ‘jelly and custard’ reputation, embracing cutting-edge design principles that cater to the preferences and lifestyle expectations of an increasingly discerning new crop of retirees.
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‘This is especially evident in luxury retirement communities, where prospective residents are leaving their multi-million-rand family homes and don’t expect to compromise on the tasteful design and modern comforts they’ve enjoyed for many years in their new living situation,’ shares Gus van der Spek, owner of upmarket retirement lifestyle development Wytham Estate in Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs.
He adds that ‘forward-thinking retirement developers are focused on creating spaces that prioritise not only aesthetic beauty and modern furnishings, but are also designed to promote wellness, community, sustainability and technology integration.’
Van der Spek reveals the top five retirement estate design trends that are reshaping modern senior living:
Subtle design aesthetics meets safety and accessibility
The reality is that mobility, or the capacity to move easily, deteriorates with age, and retirement communities must be designed with this in mind.
‘When most people think about accessible design in retirement living, they think about the obvious: wheelchair ramps and multiple lifts,’ comments van der Spek.
‘However, a future-thinking developer will go the extra mile and consider all the small design snags that can hamper accessibility, such as wide doors and corridors for easy turning while in a wheelchair; ‘step-free’ entrance doors, ‘grab bars’ close to toilets and walk-in showers that contain handrails to prevent slippage.’
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Wellness-centred design
According to Van der Spek, most retirement developers acknowledge the importance of exercise in the promotion of healthy ageing, and incorporate on-site amenities such as gyms, croquet lawns, yoga studios and tennis courts into their development design plans.
‘Daily light exercise among seniors has been proven as an effective method of keeping not only the body active, but the brain too – counteracting some of the negative impacts of ageing.’
Biophilic design trends have recently gained popularity in wellness-centered design, incorporating natural features such as ‘living plant walls’, water fountains, and glass atriams that maximise natural light with the benefits of increased Vitamin D exposure including improved sleep patterns and emotional wellbeing.
Smart technology
‘Smart’ retirement units that incorporate remote-controlled technology provide residents more control over their environment, resulting in maximum comfort and convenience.
‘This can range from simple smart touches such as temperature and lighting controls to voice-controlled virtual assistants that provide information and make appointments,’ shares van der Spek.
‘These features rely on a high-speed, fibre-optic internet connection – an absolute non-negotiable for today’s retirees,’ shares van der Spek.
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‘A growing percentage of residents are continuing to work in some capacity after moving into retirement developments to retain their independence and ensure financial security, meaning that a reliable internet connection is essential. This also allows residents to video chat with family members and friends who may be overseas, reducing feelings of isolation.’
He adds that several new smart devices aimed at seniors are on the way, including prescription management systems, fall detection sensors that can alert medical responders, and programmable switches that can automatically turn off possible fire hazards such as stoves and irons.
Eco-friendly living
It goes without saying that all of this smart technology requires a reliable and consistent power source, which is not always assured in South Africa, where loadshedding is a constant concern.
‘The impact of loadshedding is especially devastating on the country’s elderly population, increasing the risks of falls in the dark, or those who rely on lifts due to impaired mobility being trapped in their units while the power is out,’ says van der Spek. ‘To combat this, retirement developments like Wytham Estate have invested in back-up, off-grid alternative power sources like a generator to power emergency circuits (such as lifts), gas stoves within units and solar panels to power invertors and batteries to ensure that lights and essential services remain on during outages.’
Renewable energy sources, such as solar electricity, have the advantage of supporting eco-friendly and sustainable design concepts, reducing occupants’ carbon footprints and lowering energy bills. ‘We’re taking sustainable living a step further at Wytham Estate with the construction of an on-site water treatment plant to ensure that groundwater from onsite boreholes is safe for drinking and irrigation purposes,’ he adds.
Design that promotes inter-generational connections
A fundamental difficulty for retirement developers is countering resident perceptions of isolation, which persists despite the various socialisation and connecting options given by most complexes.
‘Modern developments are increasingly adding features that promote inter-generational connections on-site, giving younger family members the opportunity to interact with senior residents in comfort and for longer periods of time, which is especially useful for those hosting overseas visitors,’ shares van der Spek.
Some developments, such as Wytham, have gone so far as to include a few boutique hotel rooms on-site to accommodate visiting family members. Many senior living communities use mixed-use development design ideas to combine shopping, eating, and recreational facilities alongside their residential services, encouraging residents to form deeper connections and make the most of their golden years.
‘These emerging design trends reflect a shift towards more holistic and inclusive approaches to retirement living, with developers actively working to enhance the quality of life of residents by addressing their physical, emotional, and social needs,’ van der Spek concludes.
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Picture: Wytham Estate / Facebook