When I reflect on my upbringing and the dozens of choices I’ve made that have allowed me to focus on designing for seniors, I understand how fortunate I am to have a career I’m proud of and that brings meaning beyond the task at hand. My childhood memories provide an understanding of how I arrived at my current position in life and continue to help guide me toward future goals.
One of my most vivid memories was when my oldest brother and I went to visit our grandfather in a skilled nursing home. This visit had a twist from previous ones because my brother noticed a resident sitting off by herself, not talking with anyone. The staff told us she was German and didn’t speak English, so they couldn’t communicate with her. My brother, who had taken German classes in college, approached and said “hello” in German. Her eyes brightened and her energy increased as the two of them started a lively exchange. Even as a child, I realized my brother had connected with this woman, which she needed, and that their interaction created instant joy for both of them.
Many years later, I never questioned my future of becoming an architect. My father was a Naval architect and the youngest of my brothers also was an architect. When it was time for me to go to college, I followed the same path. Upon graduation, I became a licensed architect, joined a firm, and began working on residential single-family homes and townhouses and retail shopping centers. It was when I changed firms 10 years later and started working for Moseley Architects (Fairfax, Va.) that I became involved with my first assisted living project. However, this wasn’t the senior living environment that I recalled from my childhood, which often included uninviting reception areas and limited natural light.
The project I was designing featured an entry sequence that was welcoming with views to the outside and large public spaces; the overall scale of the building was designed to resemble a large mansion on the hill, not the traditional one-story building with long, straight corridors.
As the years passed, I continued to refine my skills and understand how important these communities were to bridging seniors’ independence with great care and support. I would visit communities during and after construction to meet the residents and staff and gain a better appreciation of the importance of the industry and its positive impact on seniors.
A few years after joining Moseley Architects, my parents started experiencing health issues. First, my father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, then we learned that my mom had Lewy body dementia, which not only affected her ability to move but also created hallucinations. My father did his best to care for her, but when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, my brothers and I said, “enough is enough” and persuaded them to move to an assisted living facility near family.
During this challenging time, I gained a genuine appreciation of designing assisted living communities. I realized that I was designing for sons and daughters like myself who needed nurturing spaces that welcome and care for their parents. Having been in this field for more than 20 years, I realize that becoming a specialized senior living architect has provided me with purpose and fulfillment in my career.
Dora W. Kay, AIA, LEED AP, is senior living sector leader at Moseley Architects (Fairfax, Va.). She can be reached at [email protected].
If you’re interested in sharing the story of what ignited your passion for senior living design, contact Executive Editor Anne DiNardo at [email protected].
