Seniors' Housing Checklist

The following information was summarized from the research and analysis of the Lionsview Seniors' Planning Society. Well-located and designed seniors' housing includes the following basic characteristics:

Location

• Within two blocks of shopping, transit and amenities
• Level site

Common Areas

• Accessible outdoor areas for gardening, viewing, walking and sitting
• Doorways and thresholds less than 0.5 inches high for safe and easy access
• Doorways and corridors of sufficient width to accommodate wheelchairs and scooters
• Railing of solid construction installed in corridors in place of unsafe bars
• Incandescent lighting
• Overhead lighting minimizes shadows
• Entrance doors enable use by persons with reduced strength or limited control
• Lever door handles
• Switches and controls installed at appropriate height for easy access while standing or sitting
• Mailboxes within reach of a seated person
• Elevator large enough for a stretcher
• Multi-purpose rooms enable future/additional uses such as meal provision, medical and support services, and hairdressing
• Bathrooms contain pocket doors
• " Sliding balcony doors with flush thresholds
• Non-glare glasses installed in corridor and lobby windows for safety

Surfaces

• Non-glare, slip-free floors

Colours

• No strong patterns in wall coverings and floor coverings
• Non-reflective, warm colors combined with lighting to ensure safety of movement within the building

Units

• Doorways and thresholds less than 0.5 inches high for safe and easy access
• Lever door handles
• Sliding balcony doors with flush thresholds and accessible locks
• Bathrooms contain pocket doors
• 16-inch studs in bathroom walls to allow for installation of safety fixtures
• Separate bedroom for privacy
• Balcony large enough for two chairs and a small table
• Adequate ventilation (cross ventilation)

Plumbing

• Bathroom and bedrooms are adjacent rooms.
• Walk-in showers or wheel-in showers with floor sloping to drain.
• Temperature controlled hand-held shower.
• Lever faucets.
• Toilet seat height 40 to 50 cm (approx. 18-20 inches) from floor.
• Common laundry room with laundry tub.

Electrical

• Outlets installed minimum 30 inches from floor
• Emergency buzzer system installed in bathroom and bedrooms
• For the hearing impaired: install wiring that enables a flashing light and place outlet near phone jack to allow for a TDD or computer keyboard installation