This new, 32-bed memory care facility is the first of the Brookdale Senior Living Sixth Generation prototypes. Designed with the future ability to convert the facility to a Skilled Nursing Facility if necessary, it has 28 private rooms and two semi-private rooms. The open plan promotes staff visibility, while encouraging residents to be active and social.
Over seven life-skill stations are located throughout the facility. These programed areas are designed to help residents regain or retain life skills such as gardening, parenting/baby-nurturing, cooking, doing laundry, listening to music, and other activities that help the brain connect in familiar ways. Resident rooms open to public spaces, utilizing visual cues with color and contrasting elements to assist memory-impaired residents with wayfinding and daily functioning. Other amenities include two secure exterior courtyards that encourage outdoor activity, and a dining room, activity room, spa, and beauty salon. An open, family-style Country Kitchen is located in the center of the facility to promote kitchen life skills and resident interaction in a home-like setting.
Constructed with traditional brick and siding, the memory care unit was designed to coordinate with the existing senior living campus. The interior design echoes traditional Historic Williamsburg styling, with custom millwork and moldings and traditional light fixtures. The residential-type lighting, fixtures, and furnishing throughout the facility encourage residents to feel at home in the space.
The ESa team works with Brookdale to not only understand the environments that we want in our communities, but they also demonstrate their desire to understand our business, which is truly a testimonial to their level of commitment and service on every project. —Jay Keopf, AIA, NCARB, Senior Director of Development, Brookdale Senior Living, Inc.
Photos © Michael Peck
