creating a beacon of independence
for local seniors
For nearly two decades Care Resources PACE has been a trusted resource for seniors in need of daily care and supervision while still choosing to live at home. Given the increased demand for its services, the organization wanted to expand from having a single Day Center and Clinic in Grand Rapids to a second one in the nearby community of Lowell.
For the communities it serves, the space needed to feel safe, vibrant, and welcoming—a home away from home for seniors to spend the day and receive care. To achieve its vision, Care Resources reached out to AMDG to design, collaborate, and provide services ranging from architectural and interior design to site planning and landscape architecture. Having utilized AMDG on a previous design/remodel project, the organization was energized by the prospect of designing a space from the ground up.
What stands out most about the new facility is how the design is seen through the eyes of those who use it. The user-centric experience begins even before you walk through the door. Equipped with a large exterior overhang, the facility invites participants by the busload to step inside without fear of slipping on ice or dealing with poor weather. Upon entering through the broad, double-sliding doors, participants are greeted at the reception desk from which they can naturally progress to the day room, the rehabilitation gym, or the clinic based on their needs. The flow is open, accessible, and intuitive.
By expanding into Lowell, Care Resources provides a much-needed source of independence for seniors and their loved ones—eliminating the long drive to Grand Rapids and back each day. The space is bright, welcoming, and centered fully on the participant experience. Ultimately, it’s what every senior is looking for: a place that looks out for them.
part of something bigger
Available to seniors 55 and older, Care Resources is part of a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), a nationwide Medicare/Medicaid-funded program committed to giving low-income seniors an alternative to full-time nursing home care. Available to seniors in city of Lowell and three neighboring counties, every aspect of its new facility is designed to achieve its vision. Featuring a medical clinic, pharmacy, rehabilitation gym, and several indoor and outdoor community spaces and activity areas, Care Resources can now deliver inspired, highly integrated care for seniors, while respecting their dignity in the process.
designing an experience
For staff members and participants alike, the entire facility is centered on well-being. This begins with how the facility is situated. To optimally serve day room guests, the building was located to maximize views of the outdoor patio and wooded area to the rear of the building. Large windows throughout the facility allow natural light to stream into each room, throughout the day.
deserved dignity
A space that embraces human dignity was another design essential. This is evident in the discrete alternative building entrance for participants faced with bed bugs or other unfortunate circumstances, equipped with an adjacent shower and laundry. With their immediate needs addressed, participants can join the rest of the participants, refreshed and ready to go about their day.
stewarding the process and the budget
Excellent design is ultimately rooted in understanding. To fully gauge the needs of Care Resources and the community it serves, AMDG members walked through the organization’s existing facility to get a feel for how each space is utilized from both the participant and staff member perspective; the design team also participated in the organization’s project vision meetings and, after developing detailed designs, thoughtfully integrated stakeholder feedback into the final design.
Along the way, AMDG kept a close eye on project scope to ensure subsequent design aspirations expressed by the client didn’t eclipse the initial budget. In the end, the project was delivered under budget and a week ahead of schedule, culminating in a space by which all other PACE facilities can be measured.
