Carpeting
Carpeting is used extensively in all buildings. Carpeting provides a homelike appearance and it suppresses noises. As we age our hearing declines and we become less capable of distinguishing particular sounds and the echoes found in uncarpeted areas very often make the problem worse. The carpeting most often used is a close cut loop pile that is glued to the floor without padding; consequently wheel chairs roll easily over the carpet and walkers are less likely to drag or catch on something. We have also selected carpeting without extensive design work because many designs can cause problems for people with vision problems.

Accessibility
A building, no matter how beautiful or how fancy, is of little value if the people living there cannot easily maneuver around the building on their own. It was, therefore, of paramount importance to assure accessibility in all areas of our buildings. In the unit apartments, we have included wheel-in showers to make it possible for people to shower with minimal help. Toilets are raised to make it easier for people to get on and off. Closets have adjustable clothes rods so they can be lowered for wheelchair bound occupants. Counters are somewhat lower and appliances are designed and located to make access and use easier. Windows are easy to operate and they are large enough to exit through in case of a dire emergency. All of our hallways are eight feet wide making it easier for wheelchairs and walkers to pass each other. All areas of the building are directly accessible by stairway or elevator.

Special Considerations
The rectangular design, with center courtyard, found in many of our buildings serve many functions. The enclosed courtyard allows outdoor activities while maintaining security and safety. Even residents who may wander can safely go outside. The rectangular design also eliminates dead end corridors that can be confusing and require exit doors that could be a danger for people with memory impairment. The endless corridor further encourages exercise with many residents knowing that so many times around the building equals one mile.

Furnishings
The furnishings selected for our buildings have been selected with older people in mind. All of our chairs are easy to get into and out of. The furnishings provide good support, but are comfortable. The upholstery is homelike whereas many other facilities use a vinylized fabric that is shiny. They use this material because people with continence problems won.t damage the fabric. We use normal fabric with an incontinence wrap underneath; moisture will not penetrate the cushioning and the fabric can be cleaned. Our furnishings are warmer, more inviting, and more comfortable than the vinyl covered furniture found in many long-term care settings.

Building Colors and Lighting
The colors used in our buildings are selected for their visibility to older people with declining visual abilities and our lighting is designed to provide sufficient light, but without the sterile look often seen in other care settings. Lighting is also designed to reduce glare, which can be a major source of discomfort for older people. In addition there is considerable natural lighting due to the large expanses of windows and single loaded corridors.