The American Institute of Architects (AIA) published a new report that details strategies and illustrations that can help reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in senior living communities, in an effort to support the health, safety, and well-being of seniors and staff nationwide.
The report, “Strategies for Safer Senior Living Communities,” and 3-D models were developed by a team of architects, AIA’s Design for Aging knowledge community, public health experts, engineers, and community managers as part of AIA’s initiative Reopening America: Strategies for Safer Buildings. The team used emerging research and public health data to develop the approaches, which can be implemented immediately.
The report includes:
- Details on hazards that administrators need to consider when adapting senior living communities to be safer, including aerosolized transmission of virus droplets through HVAC systems and touching shared surfaces
- Strategies to reduce risks in gathering areas, such as dining rooms or common areas, and during group activities, including providing touchless access at common doors and evaluating heating, cooling, and air exchange and filtration systems, particularly in common areas
- Strategies to reduce risk in programs and amenities, including clear signage about physical distancing and adopting PPE usage per CDC guidelines.
The findings have been informed by and are intended to work in tandem with other resources and tools that can be applied when working with senior living communities on enhanced safety procedures, including a seven-step Risk Management Plan for Buildings for assessing hazards and applying strategies that reduce risk and AIA’s Re-occupancy Assessment Tool, which provides a menu of strategies for buildings generally but also those specific to senior living facilities.
