Short answer

Design facilities and programs that consolidate diverse senior services to create a more accessible, engaging, and supportive environment.

Field
User-Centred Design
Source
PRISM (University of Calgary) (2013)
Method
Literature Review and Environmental Scan
Evidence
Strong effect

Multi-service senior centres that consolidate diverse support, social, and recreational programs under one roof are more effective at promoting senior well-being. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2013 study published in PRISM (University of Calgary). Using Literature review and environmental scan, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Design facilities and programs that consolidate diverse senior services to create a more accessible, engaging, and supportive environment.

Study
User-Centred DesignHigh ImpactStrong effect

Integrated Senior Centres Enhance Well-being Through Holistic Service Delivery

Multi-service senior centres that consolidate diverse support, social, and recreational programs under one roof are more effective at promoting senior well-being.

PRISM (University of Calgary) · 2013

01

Key Findings

  • 01Key facility components include accessible and adaptable spaces for diverse activities.
  • 02Essential programs encompass educational, social, wellness, and recreational offerings.
  • 03Strategic partnerships with health providers, community organizations, and educational institutions are crucial for comprehensive service delivery.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Design facilities and programs that consolidate diverse senior services to create a more accessible, engaging, and supportive environment.

How to apply

When designing community centres, healthcare facilities, or residential complexes for seniors, consider integrating a broad spectrum of services (e.g., health, social, educational, recreational) into a single, accessible location.

Project actions

  • 01Consider the user journey for seniors with varying mobility and cognitive abilities.
  • 02Map out potential service adjacencies to create logical flows within a facility.
03

Method & Evidence

AimWhat are the key facility components, programs, and strategic partnerships that define best practices in multi-purpose senior centres to optimize senior well-being?
MethodLiterature Review and Environmental Scan
ProcedureResearchers reviewed existing literature and conducted an environmental scan to identify emerging trends and best practices in multi-purpose senior centres across different jurisdictions. This involved identifying key facility and amenity components, essential programs, and successful strategic partnerships, culminating in profiles of leading centres.
ContextSenior care and community services

Variables

IVType and integration of services offered by senior centres.
DVSenior well-being (e.g., social engagement, health outcomes, satisfaction).
CVDemographics of senior population, geographical location, funding models.
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Addresses a critical need for integrated senior services.
  • +Provides actionable insights for facility and program design.

Limitations

The specific needs of seniors can vary greatly by age, health status, and cultural background, which may not be fully captured in a general best practice review.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of findings depends on the thoroughness of the literature review and the representativeness of the environmental scan. Validity is enhanced by identifying common themes across multiple sources and case studies.

Think critically

To what extent can the 'one-stop-shop' model be universally applied across different cultural contexts and varying levels of technological adoption among senior populations?

05

Design Principles

"Holistic integration of services and amenities maximizes user engagement and support."

Designing spaces and services that cater to the multifaceted needs of seniors requires a deep understanding of their daily lives and potential barriers to accessing support. Integrated centres reduce logistical challenges, fostering greater engagement and a sense of community.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Older adults benefit most when they can access all their needs – like doctor appointments, social clubs, and exercise classes – in one convenient place.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Use this research to justify the inclusion of specific features or services in your design proposal, demonstrating an understanding of user needs.
  • 2.Reference the 'one-stop-shop' model as a user-centred strategy.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research supports the integration of diverse services within a single facility, as evidenced by best practice models for multi-service senior centres. Such an approach, often termed a 'one-stop-shop,' is crucial for enhancing user accessibility and engagement by consolidating educational, social, wellness, and recreational support, thereby improving overall user well-being and reducing logistical barriers to accessing essential resources.

09

Source

PRISM (University of Calgary)

An Examination of Best Practice in Multi-Service Senior Centres

journal · 2013

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about integrated senior centres enhance well-being through holistic service delivery?
Design facilities and programs that consolidate diverse senior services to create a more accessible, engaging, and supportive environment. Evidence: PRISM (University of Calgary) (2013).
Why does "Integrated Senior Centres Enhance Well-being Through Holistic Service Delivery" matter for design?
Designing spaces and services that cater to the multifaceted needs of seniors requires a deep understanding of their daily lives and potential barriers to accessing support. Integrated centres reduce logistical challenges, fostering greater engagement and a sense of community.
How can designers apply this research?
Design facilities and programs that consolidate diverse senior services to create a more accessible, engaging, and supportive environment.
What were the main findings?
Key facility components include accessible and adaptable spaces for diverse activities.. Essential programs encompass educational, social, wellness, and recreational offerings.. Strategic partnerships with health providers, community organizations, and educational institutions are crucial for comprehensive service delivery.
What research method was used?
Literature Review and Environmental Scan.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2013 journal from PRISM (University of Calgary).
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing community centres, healthcare facilities, or residential complexes for seniors, consider integrating a broad spectrum of services (e.g., health, social, educational, recreational) into a single, accessible location.
What are the limitations?
The review may be limited by the availability and scope of published best practices and the specific geographical focus of the environmental scan.