Woldenberg Village: an illustration of supportive design for older adults

Woldenberg Village, an aging-in-place residential facility, is the result of 2 years of research and development. The design solution integrates physical, social, psychological, medical, and operational requirements to provide an opportunity for a gracious, dignified life-style as an individual ages. Each component of the village is designed to provide, in an unobtrusive way, differing amounts of support to meet the different needs of each individual. Design features include a barrier-free environment; a choice of paths and routes from one location to another; single-story construction; and clustered, user-friendly apartments. The primary goal of these features is to promote independence and safety for the elderly. Additional goals include accommodating the individual's changing needs; allowing the individual to remain in the apartment of his or her choice as long as possible through physical design and the promotion of physical assistance; and reducing medical and social problems through physical design and promotion of mutual assistance.