Older adults living in memory care facilities are vulnerable to more than just COVID-19; they are especially harmed from social distancing guidelines, as social isolation and loneliness have important medical consequences in this population. COVID-19 has changed the way we perceive the built environment, and almost all public spaces are now adopting new design strategies to create safe indoor and outdoor environments. Eight interdisciplinary, evidence-based spatial design interventions and action plans are explored in this article with the aim of redesigning future memory care facilities to combat social isolation and loneliness in older adults during this unprecedented time and beyond.
Redesigning Memory Care in the COVID-19 Era: Interdisciplinary Spatial Design Interventions to Minimize Social Isolation in Older Adults