AAHSA/SAGE Post Occupancy Evaluation Program
Goals: A primary mission of SAGE is to encourage and facilitate the creation of better environments for elders by educating others about the therapeutic value of the physical environment. An evaluation of a setting in use creates a natural platform for discussion and supports the educational focus of SAGE. These types of evaluations of buildings in use are often referred to as Post-Occupancy Evaluations (POE). Sharing these evaluations is an important way we can learn how to improve the built environment.
History: Since 1999, SAGE has partnered with AAHSA (The American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging) to present a Post Occupancy Evaluation session at the AAHSA annual meeting. The first innovative session provided participants with an evaluation of the Covenant Home of Chicago, an urban assisted living facility that was also being offered as a tour for conference attendees. Due to the positive response from attendees, this educational session has become a regular feature of the AAHSA annual meeting. Session participants have enjoyed the opportunity to tour a community and then receive an evaluation from varied viewpoints by leaders in the field of aging.
Projects Reviewed
1999 Chicago, Illinois, Covenant Home of Chicago, Assisted Living
2000 Miami, Florida, Hazel Cypen Tower on the Miami Jewish Home and Hospital Campus, Assisted Living on a Retirement Campus
2001 San Diego, California, Carlsbad by the Sea, CCRC, IL, AL, SN
2002 Baltimore, Maryland, Mercy Ridge, Assisted Living on a CCRC.
2003 Denver, Colorado, Colorado State Veterans Home at Fitzsimons, Skilled Nursing
2004 Nashville, Tennessee, Mary Queen of Angels
IAHSA
2001 Vancouver, BC. Canada, Adanac Park Lodge, Assisted Living for Primary Mental Health
Who Participates: In the past, the majority of the reviewers have been SAGE Federation Steering Committee members who offer diverse expertise. Each year, a regulator from the conference state is encouraged to participate and share their perspective. Types of industry experts who have contributed include:
- Clinician – Medical directors
- Provider – Administration and staff
- Consumer – Residents and family members
- Architects – Involved in design for aging
- Designers – Involved in design for aging
- Academic / Researcher – University based or independent
- Consultants – Involved in design for aging issues
- Regulators – Government officials responsible for care facilities for the aged
Review Criteria and Process: SAGE design principles are the basic criteria for conducting the POE. The review committee also uses a SAGE POE review sheet that was created in conjunction with the Institute on Aging and Environment at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. This worksheet provides a loose framework for the evaluation. Reviewers spend one day touring the environment, speaking to administrative staff, front line staff, the designer and the residents. The review team then assembles the presentation a few days before the conference session.
Session Information: The focus of the presentation is not to rate the project in comparison with others. Rather the review team uses the POE as a means to discern how the environment could be more effective in achieving the owners' goals. Features to emulate and suggestions for improvement are identified with the objective of helping others learn from the experience gained through this project. In the future, we hope to post some of the presentations to this website.
For More Information: If you are interested in learning more about this event, please contact Mark Proffitt who chairs the SAGE / AAHSA POE committee or Robert Lagoyda who is the staff liaison at AAHSA for the event.
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