Senior Apartment Design for Comfort and Safety in Southlake, TX

Is your house getting too big for your comfort? Many seniors face the problem of too much space. Due to changes in life events, older folks can quickly find themselves with a huge amount of space and nothing to fill it with.

Are you a senior in Southlake, TX, looking for a transition to senior living? Whether you seek the comfort of independent living or you need a more involved solution, it is important to find aging-in-place layouts that work for your specific needs.

In this article, we will discuss some of the main assisted living apartment features that help seniors maintain a safe and active lifestyle. Let's dive into what makes an ideal senior apartment design.

Convenient Kitchenettes

For seniors, a full-size kitchen is not just an inconvenience; it can be a hazard. As you age, a full-sized kitchen's excess cooking tools and space become unnecessary.

Enter the humble kitchenette, which we offer in all units at Discovery Village at Southlake, complete with diverse storage options and plenty of counter space.

Kitchenettes include the essentials, without leaving room for clutter to accumulate. Residents can store what they need to make themselves a light meal or a snack.

There is no need to cook elaborate meals at Discovery Village. With restaurant-style dining available for every meal, our senior residents don't have to worry about cooking on their own.

Kitchenette features vary between models, depending on accessibility and independence. For instance, our independent living apartments come equipped with stainless steel refrigerators so residents can independently prepare meals if they wish.

Accessible Bathrooms

Princeton Foot & Ankle Associates reports that many senior falls occur in the bathroom. Hazards such as wet floors and slippery surfaces can pose dangers to young and healthy people, but for seniors, they can be fatal.

The solution lies in fully accessible bathrooms. Bathroom design prioritizes our residents' safety and comfort, while giving them enough space for independent navigation.

Bathroom lighting is paramount for ensuring residents can see properly and navigate effectively. Glare-free lighting can provide adequate visual acuity without straining the eyes.

Grab bars are installed near high-touch surfaces, such as the toilet and shower. Walk-in showers and slip-proof flooring allow seniors to navigate bathing without having to lift their legs and step into a tub.

Seniors with mobility issues can use the shower with little or no help. Shower chairs and benches allow seniors to stay off their feet while in the shower as well.

Instead of transitioning from a wheelchair to a shower chair or bench, curbless showers make the process easier; you can wheel yourself directly into the shower without assistance.

Most importantly, accessible bathrooms promote senior dignity and independence. Residents can still manage their own tasks when they desire, while the space is there to bring in extra help when needed.

Widened Doorways

In senior care communities, accessibility is paramount. Many seniors use devices such as:

• Walkers
• Rollators
• Canes
• Wheelchairs

Doorways must be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, with a minimum width of 32 inches.

Additionally, other door features make them more accessible for people who have mobility challenges, including:

• Removing the door completely: If the door is not completely necessary, an empty doorway may be preferable.
• Installing offset hinges: Also known as "Z" hinges, they allow doors to swing wider, making room for mobility devices.
• Further widening door frames: Though the minimum requirement, per the ADA, is 32 inches, it may be better to widen the doorways even more for some additional room.

Streamlined Floor Plans

Accessible floor plans are a hallmark of senior communities, from independent living design to memory care housing options. At Discovery Village at Southlake, we offer 19 different floor plans, depending on your size preference and the level of care needed:

Independent Living

Our independent living floor plans are designed to accommodate a wide variety of needs, while still fostering self-reliance in our senior residents. The floor plan options for independent living include:

• The Aston: One-bedroom, one bathroom, 752 square feet
• The Hyde: One-bedroom, one bathroom, 866 square feet
• The Earl: Two-bedroom, two bathroom, 1,080 square feet
• The Bolton: Two-bedroom, two bathroom, 1,152 square feet
• The Windsor: Two-bedroom, two bathroom, and den, 1,340 square feet

Independent living is best for seniors who simply want a change of scenery or have a desire to downsize. They can still lead a highly independent lifestyle while doing activities they love.

Assisted Living

Assisted living provides varying degrees of independence, with assistance regarding everyday tasks when needed. Our assisted living floor plans are designed with these factors in mind. Smaller floor plans allow for easier access and less space to maintain:

• The Chester Suite: Suite, one bathroom, 339 square feet
• The Stratford: One-bedroom, one bathroom, 351 square feet
• The Victoria: One-bedroom, one bathroom, 439 square feet
• The Harrington: One-bedroom, one bathroom, 530 square feet
• The Paddington: One-bedroom, one bathroom, 539 square feet
• The Camden: One-bedroom, one bathroom, 543 square feet
• The Weston: Two-bedroom, one bathroom, 604 square feet
• The Essex: Two-bedroom, two bathroom, 846 square feet

SHINE® Memory Care

Our SHINE® Memory Care units prioritize senior health and safety. We strive to give our residents normalcy and routine, despite cognitive impairment and memory loss due to dementia. We have four memory care floor plans:

• The George: One-bedroom, one bathroom, 324 square feet
• The Alston: Suite, one bathroom, 339 square feet
• The Duke: Suite, one bathroom, 517 square feet
• The Duchess: Two-bedroom, one bathroom, 530 square feet

Find the Perfect Apartment Design at Discovery Village at Southlake

In regard to apartment design, the floor plan and amenities you choose are ultimately based on your needs and comfort level. Discovery Village at Southlake offers many different options, so you can remain in our community while moving through different types of care.

Discovery Village at Southlake is dedicated to ensuring our residents maintain normalcy and quality of life. Our amenities include movie trips, wellness classes, and exercise programs, all aimed at providing residents with the lifestyle they deserve.

Are you ready to experience this level of care and attention for yourself? Consider making the move to Discovery Village at Southlake. Contact us today or visit our beautiful campus in Southlake, TX, in person.