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FURNITURE Furniture should be designed to aid patients getting in and out of seating and provide adequate rest spots. For example, seat heights should be kept to 18 inches; avoid using low furniture. Provide furniture with arms to give options for those that need extra support. Provide ample options for resting, such as comfortable seating alcoves along corridors and paths. Resting spots should extend outdoors and be located at exits, as well as benches along sidewalks. Outdoor furniture in the shade should be available. FLOORING Improve patient safety and support orientation. Use carpet or other soft fl ooring to help prevent falls, and minimize potential damage and noise. Specifying no-wax fl oors helps reduce glare and non-glare paving materials on outdoor walkways. In regard to design, fl oor patterns should be created to "defi ne" entrances to patient rooms for orientation. Patterns that "defi ne and measure" walking distances help to encourage ambulation. COLOR PALETTE Reduce stress and improve spatial perception. Create contrast where there is a change of planes between the wall and fl oor to make it easier to "read" the spaces. Also, avoid creating high-contrast fl oor patterns that might cause confusion. Use solids and simple patterns on furniture upholstery for both comfort and visual clarity. POSITIVE DISTRACTIONS Relieve stress, encourage interaction and support a sense of well-being. Provide windows that of er views of nature and bring in daylight. Incorporate artwork, such as paintings, photographs or sculptures, that will engage the patients. Outdoors, provide for a variety of plants at face level that will give seated patients a focus and of er a respite. As healthcare architects and designers continue to address the needs of an increasingly older patient population, there is a signifi cant opportunity to improve healthcare environments for people of all ages. Many of the design considerations that make a visit to a clinic or stay at a hospital less stressful and more supportive for the elder patient ameliorate the experience of every patient. Meeting the needs of the geriatric generations today provides valuable lessons for the care of Gen Xers and Millennials who, with luck, will reach age 65 and be thankful for "silver" facilities. Bhargav Goswami, AIA, ACHA, LEED AP is a principal and senior medical planner with WHR Architects. Sherri Shafi ei, IIDA, is a senior interior designer also with WHR Architects. MCDM AG.COM | M AY/ J U N E 2015 | Medical Construction & Design 37