Page 2B—
COLORADO REAL ESTATE JOURNAL
—
April 20-May 3, 2016
minimum, install the blocking
for grab bars and accessories
at showers/tubs and toilet
location. The grab bars and
shower seats can be installed
later when needed. All lavatory
and shower/tub controls
should be lever handles and
within easy reach. Selection
of flooring materials in the
bathroom should minimize slip
hazard.
n
Function.
The
entertainment (public) areas
should be an open plan that
includes living/family/great
room, kitchen and dining
areas that flow to an outdoor
entertaining space, a deck,
patio or yard. The kitchen
tends to be the lifeblood of
a home for seniors. It is the
gathering place, the central
hub from where everything
radiates. The following are a
few design options that will
make this room much more
functional. The plan should
allow for future wheelchair or
walker accessibility. Maintain
a clear minimum 30 inches
by 48 inches of floor space
and approaches to appliances
and counters. Place the
microwave on a shelf below the
countertop instead of above it.
Provide easy pull handles and
slide-outs to help with access
to lower cabinets. Provide a
countertop area that is lower.
Provide a pantry closet with
shallower shelves vs. a pantry
cabinet with deeper shelves.
Consider flooring materials
that minimize slippage
conditions and provide for
seamless transitions between
flooring materials.
n
Sight and sound.
As we
age, our eyesight and hearing
diminishes. Therefore, it
is important to maintain
good levels of lighting in all
rooms and walkway locations.
Light switches mounted at
the appropriate heights for
easy access from a mobility
device or installing motion
sensing switches can assist in
maintaining adequate lighting
levels throughout the home.
Something else to consider
is acoustics with in the space.
The open plan concept can
create spaces where sound
reverberates and can become
inaudible. The use of built-in
speaker systems and soft-sound
attenuating materials help with
sound control from audiovisual
devices.
n
Downsize does not equal
compromise.
All said, a
capable design professional
can provide a well-designed
and functional home by
utilizing the barrier-free
standards and guidelines
during the initial planning
sessions. We need to be
cognitive of the user’s current
abilities while planning ahead
for the future. This attention
to the detail will allow
homeowners to age in place
longer with less disruption and
greater adoptability.
Moore
Balfour Senior Living and
Northstar Commercial Part-
ners announced plans to joint-
ly develop a 63,000-square-
foot community in the Staple-
ton neighborhood.
The seniors project will be
located on a 1.5-acre site at
2979 Uinta St. and comprise
58 assisted-living units and 16
memory-care units. It is slated
for occupancy in the first half
of 2017.
“Balfour is committed to
building and operating the
best senior-living communi-
ties in Colorado. This new
project will incorporate all we
have learned from our nearly
20 years of developing and
operating senior housing, and
we are excited to bring a Bal-
four community to this impor-
tant Denver neighborhood,”
said Balfour Senior Living
Founder and Chief Executive
Officer Michael K. Schonbrun.
Davis Wince Ltd. was select-
ed as the architectural firm
and Brinkmann Construc-
tors will serve as the general
contractor for the project. The
community will feature Bal-
four’s signature services and
amenities, including a salon,
farm-to-table dining, chauf-
feured transportation, fitness
center and themed common
areas for educational and
event programming.
“This is a truly exciting
project,” said Brian Watson,
founder and CEO of North-
star. “Working alongside a
trusted and quality group
such as Balfour is an honor.
We look forward to seeing
the positive impact this new
community will bring to the
Stapleton community.”
s
Senior Housing & Care News
We need to
be cognitive
of the user’s
current abilities
while planning
ahead for the
future. This
attention to the
detail will allow
homeowners
to age in place
longer with
less disruption
and greater
adoptability.
