Spellman Brady & Company completed the interior design of the Cardinal Ritter Senior Service’s Shrewsberry campus addition to Our Mother of Perpetual Help Memory Care.
The single-story memory care addition houses two memory care homes each with 13 private units. The main purpose of the project was to create upscale spaces that reflect residents’ unique abilities. It focuses on increasing independence and making life easier, safer, and more comfortable for residents.
The overall design was based on a small-home concept to create a residential environment that is non-institutional and home-like for residents. The homes were created to be equally as well as different. They each featured unique lighting, artwork, accessories and furniture. The key to connecting with residents was local subject matter for artwork. Each space is enriched with nostalgia and vibrancy by the mixed media artwork package.
SBC collaborated with the Director of Assisted living Facilities, Food Service Manager and Director for Property Management and Technology during the design planning meetings. This allowed them to input the acuity levels of their residents; the intended use and layout of the common areas; and to guide material selections and design choices.
Safety, style, and wayfinding were all important priorities. Bright, bold door colors were used to help residents locate their units. Memory boxes with backs custom painted to match the door colors were also used in the hallways. To make fixtures easily visible, accent paint colors were used for the apartment bathrooms.
The tile, LVT, and carpet are all the same height. This eliminates the need for flooring transition strips that can be dangerous or difficult to use with walkers and wheelchairs. All spaces promote socialization, enhance wellness, and support a happy lifestyle.
The common areas of each household are located in an open floor plan. This allows staff to easily see residents when they are in the kitchen or multipurpose areas. Residents can choose to eat in a family-style setting or for those who need 1-on-1 assistance. The furniture plan was generously sized to allow residents to move freely in the hallways and common areas, drawing them to the safe courtyard with large windows.
The Lounges provide a tranquil space for those who need it. There are rummage baskets that contain various fidget items that residents can remove from the built-in shelves. To minimize breakage, the dishes displayed in the kitchens are made of plastic. Hidden magnetic locking allows for additional storage in different areas. This is useful for items that are not resident-friendly.
Spellman Brady worked with Vessel Architecture who designed the addition to the building and BSI Constructors who was the general contractor.