How to beat loneliness through better design

What can developers do to design buildings and spaces that promote engagement between residents? Clever planning can combat loneliness, according to a retirement–market expert 

Priorities evolve

When investing in a retirement estate, whether for your older self or aging parents, items on your wish list may differ from what they will be years down the line.  

One parent may fall away, leaving the survivor of a lifelong partnership to face a bleak future of flying solo. That sea view and privacy so essential when first buying, then pale in significance. 

In a recent architectonicus.co.uk article, the author says it’s a case of ‘out of sight, out of mind’: ‘If people (children, older people, dementia sufferers, you and me) are kept confined to one space from which we can’t see other people, and can’t identify opportunities for interacting, we will just wither away.  

‘We’ll get bored and, to misquote, Yoda: “Boredom is the path to the dark side. Boredom leads to frustration. Frustration leads to anger. Anger leads to suffering.”’ 

Importantly, retirement market developers must remember that people now in their mid-60s are a completely different breed from our parents and older ancestors. 

We’ve come a long way

Plettenberg Bay property veteran Bruce Noble is the marketing director of a new development called The Jetty – 19ha of land bordering Bitou River. Noble has been monitoring this niche in one of the country’s most desirable semigration and retirement destinations. 

He says planning for The Jetty is now 10 years in the making and that the best professionals have been roped in, including SLT Architects from Cape Town under the helm of Bertus Bouwer. 

According to Noble, much has changed in the global retirement industry, not least of these being finance options such as life-right acquisitions. At some facilities, life-right buyers are only allowed from age 65 – these units have to change hands every so often for developers to benefit fully. 

‘Substantial frail-care centres used to be part of life-right deals but are extremely expensive to maintain and, in many cases, frail-care beds are vacant but levies remain sky-high.’ He says such facilities are necessary but not always in the quantity of rooms provided, as many people prefer home-based care options. 

The age of being active

Other ownership options include sectional titles or freehold stands, with the buying age ranging from 50 to 65. ‘People today live longer and healthier lives, and when planning The Jetty, our research informed that a 16-bed medical facility would be adequate.’ 

Looking at the lifestyle choices of their target market, the immediate addition of an indoor swimming pool, gym, and paddle tennis court will be much more beneficial to residents. Apart from communal areas, there are also cycling and hiking tracks within the estate.  

Make it fun to visit 

‘Many retirees are terribly lonely because of children living overseas, and we knew it was imperative to actively lure visitors, whether they stay with their resident family members or rent an onsite apartment for their stay,’ says Noble.  

He says many retirement estates still require special permission for overnight visitors. But the future lies in accessibility and, more importantly, making it a fun place to visit for kids, grandkids and kin. 

‘Previous retirement models would perhaps sport a restaurant and frail care, but no options for overnight visitors. We plan on adding a multi-generational facet for when your children visit from Oz. Apartments for weekend or longer-term visitors will be separated from permanent residents’ units.’ 

Views for all 

Noble says that the estate’s design will have views from communal facilities, not just from a few units on the riverfront. ‘The layout makes it attractive for all residents to engage, whether having a cocktail at the bar, playing cards, or birding. 

‘The design invites friendship groups to gather and also caters to active folk with kayaking, fishing, and golfing on our doorstep. A quick cart ride gets residents to the neighbouring Goose Valley golf course.’ 

Changing the game 

Noble warns that the shortage of retirement stock and long waiting lists allow developers to change the goalposts: ‘Once having moved in, residents may not receive promised amenities. Suddenly, an area destined for a library is turned into extra units.  

‘All our onsite amenities will be finalised by the end of Phase 2, and none of the conservation areas around the houses and river will ever be used for additional construction. We are trying to change the retirement-living game with this development.’ 

The bottom line, concludes Noble, is that development planning should allow for communal facilities while estate managers should provide organised programmes to combat loneliness. ‘A desired outcome of providing these spaces and activities is for residents to get to know each other, and then continue socialising within their homes.’