CREJ

January 2018 — Health Care Properties Quarterly —

Page 23

www.crej.com

medical environment but also Lone

Tree and Douglas County offer some

of the strongest demographics in the

nation with more than 80 percent of

residents maintaining private health

insurance and accessing medical ser-

vices at least once annually.

“There is absolutely a need for

this product type,” said Byrnes.

“The hospital recently completed a

large bed tower and medical office

expansion and they are fully occu-

pied now. The success of Sky Ridge

is another example of the amazing

growth that’s happing in Lone Tree

and Douglas County, which equates

to the need for more medical office

space.”

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Campus

Continued from Page 1

footage ratios for the tenants’ prac-

tices. Spaces that are too shallow

or too deep will cause a suite size

to be irregularly shaped, create life

safety conflicts and small unleased

spaces.

The trend of inpatient service

lines migrating to outpatient set-

tings does not appear to be slow-

ing down. “Right-sized” outpa-

tient building design will become

increasingly important, in addition

to knowledge of the regulatory

factors affecting licensed hospital-

based providers reimbursed by CMS

and a solid understanding of which

service lines are migrating out.

Teams who have these at the fore-

front will be successful in meeting

the increased demand and main-

tain long-term health care tenant

leases.

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Du Mond

Continued from Page 12

paths that return the traveler to

their starting point encourage use,

as do paths with interesting fea-

tures such as lookouts, gazebos and

surface material variety. Like indoor

to outdoor transitions, it’s impor-

tant to incorporate visually shaded

and sunny paths in their respective

climates. Structures that promote

interaction such as barbeques, pic-

nic tables and fire pits also increase

outdoor engagement while encour-

aging important social opportuni-

ties. Exercise- and game-related

activities like yoga, aerobics, tai chi,

bocce ball, pickle ball, horseshoe pits

and shuffleboard lanes also can be

incorporated to establish specific

outdoor functions. To enable a wide

variety of active uses, turf lawns are

relatively easy to maintain, more

forgiving to falls and even can help

to reduce noise pollution.

Seating in outdoor areas should

be plentiful, accessible and comfort-

able. Movable options allow seniors

to form groups, generate privacy and

alter the space’s function. Chairs

and benches should have sturdy

arms to assist occupants in lower-

ing and raising themselves, and all

seating should maintain climate and

weather protection considerations.

Seating materials shouldn’t just be

comfortable, they should appear

comfortable, which is why concrete

and metal should be avoided when

possible.

Plants and landscaping used in

senior outdoor spaces are other con-

tributing factors in increasing out-

door engagement. In general, plants

should be widely varied and adapt-

able to multiple seasons. Plants that

flower and annual and perennial

flowers that change throughout the

year keep the grounds attractive and

interesting. Vegetable and flower

gardens also are an excellent way to

provide variety while encouraging

seniors to get outdoors. Bird feed-

ers, nesting boxes and ponds can

attract birds, which can promote

both active engagement and passive

observation. Taking care of other liv-

ing beings, whether they are plants

or animals, reaps physical and emo-

tional benefits for seniors.

We are irrevocably linked to the

natural world just outside our doors.

As design professionals in the senior

living industry, we are bound to

strengthen these links and further

the mission of the institutions we

shape and build – to open our build-

ings, both literally and figuratively,

to the many benefits of the world

outside. Today’s senior living envi-

ronments go beyond simple accom-

modation to environments where

seniors thrive as they benefit from

features that promote healthy liv-

ing. Buildings that encourage and

provide easy access to a variety of

outdoor spaces further the mission

of the institutions as a whole by pro-

moting health, happiness and well-

being.

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Schmidt

Continued from Page 21

Plants are a contributing factor in increasing outdoor engagement.