by Brett Douglas, RLA
 Brett Douglas
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A variety of studies point to the therapeutic effect interaction with children has on seniors. In fact, according to an article by Rogers and Taylor (1997) in the Journal of Gerontological Social Work, intergenerational interaction has shown to decrease loneliness, boredom and depression in older adults. Although intergenerational programs have long been established between senior housing and schools, a new model is emerging: campuses designed specifically for intergenerational interaction. Rather than students visiting an assisted living community to perform a concert, or seniors attending courses at a nearby university, environments are being designed to include a full continuum of care for seniors as well as schools and early childhood centers. Strategic site planning and landscape design on these campuses can further encourage interaction between the generations, establish a harmonious balance between them, and offer additional therapeutic value for residents, as both natural and designed landscapes can have an impact on one's physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.
At NewBridge on the Charles, over three miles of interconnected trails will weave through a sylvan site connecting people with nature. - 3D model by Geller Graphics.
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Support for Intergenerational Campuses Studies have shown that interaction between seniors and youth provide a myriad of mutual benefits for both age groups. Children infuse vitality and a sense of hope in seniors and in turn, by sharing their wisdom and life experiences, seniors can enrich children's lives. This research is the catalyst for emerging intergenerational campuses in the senior housing industry. “The Federal government has commissioned extensive studies showing the beneficial relationship [older adults and children] have on each other,” explains Dr. Carl Rowe, founder and director of Integrated Care Communities, LLC, which recently built a nine-acre multigenerational campus consisting of assisted living residences, a child day care center, a nursing facility, and an adult health care center in Moreno Valley, California. “The Assisted Living residences overlook the Center, so the older guests can see and hear children playing,” adds Rowe. Similarly, Cathedral Square Corporation, which manages the six-acre McAuley Square Senior Housing, an intergenerational community in Burlington, Vermont, sited a play area near the community gardens which the senior residents frequent. McAuley Square provides housing for seniors as well as young mothers and parents returning to school, creating a neighborhood setting for seniors to interact with families and young children. “We knew it was important for seniors to have an opportunity to live in an intergenerational community and not be segregated off into buildings exclusively for seniors,” explains Nancy Eldridge, executive director of Cathedral Square Corporation. “The seniors enjoy seeing the kids and babies around – [the intergenerational component] it's a real plus for them.”
Encouraging Generational Interaction through Design Home of the nation's largest geriatric research institution, Hebrew SeniorLife will soon enter the design development phase for a 159-acre senior campus community, NewBridge on the Charles, in Dedham, Massachusetts. As part of this innovative intergenerational community, senior supportive and assisted living, long-term care, and other senior services share a campus with a K-8 school and an early childhood education curriculum.
In an effort to create an environment that will bring together seniors and children in a natural setting of learning, living and sharing, Geller DeVellis, in collaboration with Perkins Eastman Architects, Chan Krieger & Associates and Graham Gund Architects, created a campus master plan for NewBridge on the Charles that incorporates a number of creative site design strategies to encourage interaction between generations:  At NewBridge on the Charles, long-term care rooms will offer views of nearby recreation fields and early childhood play areas to uplift seniors and offer therapeutic intergenerational interaction. - 3D model by Geller Graphics.
Zoning
At NewBridge on the Charles, the project site was rezoned into a senior campus district in order to create a campus culture that would foster interaction. Rezoning allowed the site planners to push buildings closer together, reduce road widths, minimize site disturbance and work towards a more sustainable approach to site development than would have otherwise been allowed under standard Town zoning. Circulation
Trails and walkways become an important amenity for all campus visitors, whether it's a place for residents and staff to exercise, bird watch, or simply enjoy a walk with a visiting family member. At NewBridge on the Charles, over three miles of interconnected trails will weave through a sylvan site connecting people with nature. Program elements such as the school's playing fields, campus recreation areas, and a pet park will also be linked thus encouraging intergenerational interaction. Views
Landscape views are an important part of the healing and wellness philosophy at NewBridge. While windows with pleasant views are ideal for all residents, they become even more important for less mobile seniors. At NewBridge on the Charles, long-term care rooms will offer views of nearby recreation fields and early childhood play areas to uplift seniors and offer therapeutic intergenerational interaction. Community
According to Martin Siefering, Principal of Perkins Eastman Architects, market studies have shown that one of seniors' highest priorities when choosing housing is finding a sense of community. Creating inviting areas where the generations meet is a way to encourage interaction and establish a community. Whether it is a place for parents to get a cup of coffee after dropping off their child at school or a venue for a mid-day bingo game for seniors, creating a hub for campus activity is an important component of a successful intergenerational and community culture. It is Hebrew SeniorLife's goal to create inviting areas where diverse generations can meet as a way to establish a community with enriching connections. The village center at NewBridge on the Charles will serve as the “front door” to campus visitors, and will house dining facilities, a health center, worship and multi-purpose space, and a winter garden. Site planners designed the center to serve as the focal point of the campus by incorporating existing mature specimen trees and re-establishing the campus' naturalized meadow. Establishing Balance Although intergenerational campuses are designed to encourage interaction, it is important to understand the necessity for independence with all residents at some time. Residents – who want to live in a home environment with “like” people – should feel they have the flexibility to remove themselves from interaction with children, visitors, or neighbors when desired. Designers can address this delicate balance by creating a variety of internal and external social settings and physical scales. At NewBridge, each type of senior housing will be interconnected by an enclosed building structure, surface trails and covered walkways through a subsurface parking garage. For instance, seniors residing in the senior supportive manor houses on the west side of the campus will be able to choose whether to interact with the other residents by walking a short distance to the main campus building via covered walkway or through an underground connection in the garage. The K-8 school has a similar relationship, as it is sited adjacent to the village center area on its own part of the campus. The location will help buffer seniors from potentially undesirable noise during outdoor play times and give the programs enough separation for an autonomous identity, while still making interaction opportunities available when desired. A Growing Trend Senior housing will continue to be in high demand as the baby boomers age. Between the complex design involved to establish an interactive but delicate generational balance, and the public education process integral to permitting and public acceptance, creating an intergenerational campus may prove to be a challenge in many communities. However, once this new model of senior care becomes a more familiar concept and the mutual benefits are realized, intergenerational campuses will be prevalent in communities around the country. -Brett Douglas, as the Project Manager of the Hebrew SeniorLife Intergenerational Campus Development, he has dedicated virtually all of his time with Geller DeVellis Inc. to the development of creative and thoughtful site design strategies for seniors.
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