Designing Safe and Enriching Outdoor Living Spaces for Memory Care and Senior Living Facilities

Designing Safe and Enriching Outdoor Living Spaces for Memory Care and Senior Living Facilities

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the essential safety considerations when designing outdoor living areas for aging residents of senior living facilities, independent living communities and memory care units.

Liberty village senior living courtyard with shade pergolas along the walkway

Create enjoying outdoor spaces that are both enriching for seniors and memory care residents to be apart of but also safe to use and enjoy!

Accessibility and Pathways

Creating accessible pathways is crucial to ensure that your aging residents can navigate the outdoor living areas with ease. Consider the following factors:

  • Widened Walkways: Ensure that the pathways are wide enough to accommodate mobility aids, such as walkers or wheelchairs. A minimum width of 36 inches is recommended.
  • Smooth Surfaces: Opt for smooth and slip-resistant surfaces, such as concrete or textured paving stones, to minimize the risk of tripping and falling.
  • Ramps and Handrails: If there are changes in elevation, install ramps with gentle slopes and provide sturdy handrails for support. This will enable residents to move safely between different areas of the outdoor space as well as have more independence when enjoying outdoor areas.

Lighting and Visibility

Proper lighting enhances safety and visibility, particularly during evening hours. Consider the following tips:

  • Ample Lighting: Aging eyes often suffer from dimished sight. Install sufficient lighting fixtures throughout the outdoor living areas, including pathways, entryways, and key gathering spaces. Use a combination of overhead lights, wall-mounted fixtures, and solar-powered pathway lights to ensure visibility at night.
  • Motion Sensors: Consider incorporating motion sensor lights to automatically illuminate specific areas when someone enters the space. This feature enhances security and minimizes the risk of accidental falls in poorly lit areas.

Side view of a large shade pergola over an assisted living patio

Keeping residents safe yet encoraging mobility is encouraged through sturdy handrails in outdoor spaces and around walking paths.

Slip and Fall Prevention

Preventing slips and falls is critical when designing outdoor areas for senor residents. Implement the following measures:

  • Grip-enhancing Surfaces: Choose slip-resistant materials for decks, patios, and other outdoor surfaces. Avoid surfaces that become slippery when wet or during inclement weather conditions.
  • Secure Rugs and Mats: If you use outdoor rugs or mats, ensure they are properly secured to prevent tripping hazards. Use double-sided tape or slip-resistant pads to keep them in place.
  • Clear Pathway Obstructions: Regularly inspect the outdoor space for any potential trip hazards, such as loose stones, uneven surfaces, or clutter. Keep pathways clear of debris, fallen leaves, or branches.

Landscaping and Gardening

Thoughtful landscaping and gardening practices contribute to both the aesthetics and safety of outdoor living areas. Consider the following recommendations:

  • Clear Pathways: Trim overgrown plants and bushes to maintain clear pathways and prevent obstruction.
  • Non-Toxic Plants: Choose plants that are non-toxic and avoid thorny or prickly varieties that may cause injuries. Consult with a professional landscaper to ensure a senior-friendly garden.
  • Gardening Tools: Provide lightweight and ergonomic gardening tools that are easy for your aging seniors. Ensure proper storage to avoid clutter and accidents.
  • Raised Gardens: Gardening is a very enriching activity for seniors to be apart of. Opt for riased gardens that don’t require bending when watering or tending to plants and vegetables.

Seating and Rest Areas

Comfortable and safe seating areas are essential for seniors to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Consider the following guidelines:

  • Sturdy Chairs and Benches: Choose seating options that provide ample support and stability. Opt for chairs and benches with armrests and backs to assist with sitting down and getting up.
  • Comfortable Cushions: Use cushions or pillows to enhance comfort and reduce pressure on joints. Ensure that they are weather-resistant and easy to clean.
  • Outdoor Tables: Consider outdoor tables that provide room for outdoor activities, dining or visiting with family and friends.
  • Shade and Sun Protection: Provide ample shade options, such as pergolas, to shield your residents from excessive sun exposure. Pergolas allow for filtered light that will help prevent heat-related illnesses, UV exposure and discomfort.

Senior living pergola over outdoor patio

quality senior living pergola such as this Heartland Pergola provides shade allowing seniors to enjoy outdoor dining, group activities, visiting with loved ones and general enjoyment in a natural setting. The vinyl material is low maintenance and safe from splintering and sagging over time.

Outdoor enjoyment is therapeutic for residents of senior living communities, Memory Care Facilities and other home communities for senior living. By incorporating the safety checklist outlined above, you can create an outdoor living space that prioritizes the well-being and security of those in your care.

Senior star senior living courtyard with shade pergola

Investing in the safety and comfort of the residents demonstrates your love and commitment to their overall well-being. Create a space that allows them to engage with nature, socialize, and enjoy the outdoors to increase the quality of life. Providing a safe and enjoyable outdoor environment will not only enrich their lives but also offer peace of mind for your facility as well as the families that entrust their loved ones to your care.

Our resources

Installation Videos

Videos showing our installation process, from beginning to end.

  • Layout & cutting
  • Installing post mounts
  • Installing columns

CAD Drawings

How the blueprints for our pergolas get made.

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  • Freestanding CADs
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Frequently asked questions

Over the years, it's common to find some questions that come up again and again. Scroll through the question and answer bank on the right, and if your questions aren't answered by the end, you can get in touch using the phone number below!

Still have questions?

What questions can we assist you with? Call us at (563) 345-6745 or click the button below.

The dimensions of a Heartland Pergola refer to the width and depth of the pergola's roof. The pergola roof will include the beams and rafters, and on a traditional style pergola, will extend past the posts of your pergola.

For an example, a 14' x 14' pergola means that the overhead roof dimensions are 14' x 14'.

To figure out post spacing you will want to look at the specific CAD drawing for the pergola size you are looking for. Noting that a typical traditional style pergola will be built with the posts inset one foot from the end of your beams. Modern pergolas will NOT have an overhang.

Tip while planning - if your patio space is 14' x 14', most homeowners will opt to go a size larger on a Traditional Style Pergola so that the overhang of the pergola roof extends past the edge of your patio, rather than stopping even with it. A 14' x 14' patio would benefit from installing a 16' x 16' pergola (or greater) for optimum sun coverage.

We have the best of both worlds!

Aluminum base structure for extreme durability and strength paired with a vinyl exterior that makes your pergola maintenance super easy!

Many vinyl pergolas on the market are going to have no reinforcement or internal reinforcement by wood. Over time, that wood will rot, warp and sag. The aluminum inserts of Heartland Pergolas ensure that is never an issue for your pergola. It's a solid structure, easy to maintain and will last you for decades! We are so confidant in that fact that we offer a Lifetime Warranty.

You can purchase any of our pergola kits or eyebrow pergolas online through our website or order by calling in (563-345-6745) and talking to our sales team. If you are ordering a pergola with customizations outside of our pergola design tool, custom sizes or configurations, you will want to purchase by speaking with our team over the phone/email.

Upon ordering, either via our website or through our sales staff you will receive a docusign document emailed to you detailing all your options and pergola specs to sign off on before we send your pergola to fabrication.

Due to the custom nature of our product, we cannot accept returns. All pergola kits are made to order specifically for your space and requirements. We recommend you work directly with our team to discuss all potential site, climate, and installation requirements before you make your purchase to ensure that you get exactly the materials that you need.

We want you to be happy with your purchase, if there is a problem just reach out and we will work with you to make it right.

It doesn’t happen often but if you do find something missing or damaged, we will replace it immediately.

For all orders in the continental US, shipping is already included!

If you live outside of the continental US and would like a quote on shipping, please contact Elizabeth for a shipping quote!

Each kit will come with the corresponding instruction manual for that pergola. It will list step-by-step how to install, what tools are needed and show diagrams for the installation. You will also get your related CAD drawing for your pergola as well.

You are welcome to download the digital version of our instruction manuals ahead of time if you want to take a look at the process first!

We also have installation videos available 24/7 playable from YouTube Play List. Our Video Installation series will break down each step into a short video so you can see exactly how each step is completed.

VINYL AND ALUMINUM STRUCTURES LIMITED WARRANTY

Subject to the conditions and limitations listed herein, Heartland Pergolas warrants its vinyl structures to be free from defective workmanship and materials and, when subject to normal and proper use, against surface peeling, rot, structural damage from termites, splitting, flaking, rusting, and blistering, abnormal weathering or abnormal discoloration.

We have many customers who go the DIY route to install their pergola! If you have some basic building experience and knowledge with some simple tools, you can build a pergola.

We provide you with written installation instructions, video tutorials online, and the best customer service you can get!

You can watch our videos ahead of time to see if you feel comfortable working with the tools and materials needed to build your pergola. Our Installation Videos are divided up into short step-by-step clips that are to the point and show you exactly how each part is completed.

General guidelines for DIYers:

  • Be able to lift 80lbs
  • Be able to use a tape measure and level
  • Be able to use a circular saw or miter saw
  • Be able to use a drill
  • Be able to level and align your columns and beams
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