The building for the Home is being projected with regard to modern standards for in-patient care of the elderly and people with disabilities stipulated by the Russian Federal Law, as well as Hesed`s own innovative developments and international experience gained in the field.

Technical parameters of the Jewish Senior Home

The projected site occupies the area of 8,094 m², including:

• site area for the building – 1,880 m²
• green area – 3,611 m²
• surface area – 2,114 m²total area of the building – 5,045 m²

• total structural volume – 19,700 m³
• number of floors – 3
• number of residents - 93

The building is located in the middle of the site allocated for construction. The site can be divided into the following zones:

• Recreation zone (walking paths, green plants, gallery with an awning, pavilions).
• Utility zone including the maintenance block and maintenance area with rubbish
• containers.
• Parking area, where visitors can park their cars for a short while (comprising 10 cars for 100 visitors).
  

The project implies development of the territory in accordance with city regulations for construction. According to the project, walking paths and lawns will be laid, bushes and low trees will be planted, and benches will be installed in the recreational zone. Outdoor cultural events will be held on a summer stage with seats for watchers; there will be also a covered gallery and several pavilions. Drives within the site will be paved with asphalt concrete with kerbstones on either side. The territory adjacent to the Jewish Senior Home will have a short-term car park for the staff and visitors. The entrance to the Home will be surrounded with flowerbeds. The site will be surrounded by a fence.

Interior of the Jewish Senior Home

At the project stage, we considered and took into account opinion of many outside experts: gerontologists, rehabilitologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and specialists in care of elderly people. The combination of latest scientific achievements in gerontology and extensive practical experience of our colleagues from Israel, the USA, Finland, Germany and other countries has resulted in the project of a living space that, on the one hand, will be ergonomic and equipped with latest technology to allow the staff to work efficiently, and, on the other hand, will be homely and comfortable for our residents.
The main structural principle for the Home`s interior planning is its division into zones.
The project implies several such zones:

• Residential zone
• Zone for medical and social services
• Kitchen zone
• Total entrance lobby zone
• Zones for residents` recreation and common activities

A special emphasis is placed on modern equipment that facilitates care manipulations for elderly residents and allows the staff to save their time and effort.
Safety is another priority of the project (e.g. fire safety, prevention of injuries), together with creating accessible environment for residents with limited mobility.

Ground floor

A specious lobby with administrator`s stand is the central part of the ground floor. It has been especially planned to meet visitors` needs and to make their visit comfortable. The lobby also has a cafeteria for residents, their relatives and guests; there are also staff offices and rooms for medical and social services: a therapist`s examination room, dentist`s office, a hairdresser`s, and a room for manicure and pedicure. Two lifts are located on either side of the lobby. The most of the left-wing area is occupied by the kitchen. The right wing of the ground floor is for residents with old-age dementia.



First floor

The first floor is designed for dependent residents who need permanent nursing care. In the central zone of the first floor there is a large multi-purpose hall for all the common events and arrangements of the Jewish Senior Home. The synagogue and the library will also be located here. The hall will be equipped for holding various cultural and leisure events: concerts, film viewings, meetings with artists and other interesting guests, and lectures by specialists. The central part of the first floor will also contain the gym where residents with musculoskeletal impairment will do remedial gymnastics.
Both wings of the first floor are designed as residential zones. The total number of rooms for residents is 89; of them, 85 are single rooms and 4 are double rooms.



Second floor

The second floor is designed for residents with limited abilities for self-service. The central part of the floor is, similarly to the 1st floor, an area for common activities. Both wings of the third floor are designed as living quarters.



Residential zones

The Jewish Senior Home is divided into three departments according to their function:

• Department for residents with limited ability for self-service
• Department for dependent residents
• Department for residents with old-age dementia

The living quarter of each department will be organized similarly; the residents will primarily be living in single rooms with bathrooms (hotel-type accommodation). According to the project, each living quarter should include:

• Common hygienic room equipped with special devices for convenience of daily hygienic procedures, including special bathtubs with lifting machines.
• A common dining hall where residents will have their meals and meet for common events. A kitchen lift for delivery of food and dishes is located near the hall.
• An area for the nurse on duty, equipped with modern remote control systems.

The dwelling quarters of the first floor comprise the department for residents with oldage dementia.
At the project stage, we have tried to take into account all specific everyday needs of people with dementia:

• A separate exit to the fenced zone for walks;
• The entrance to the department is restricted and is remotely regulated by the nurse on duty;
• Special emphasis was made on planning the common hall where people with dementia spend most of their time. Except for having their meals, residents will come to this hall for numerous guided activities. It is essential for such patients to have their day meticulously scheduled and filled with events: work therapy, art therapy, guided exercises, etc.
• Another essential element for this department is safe environment. We have made provisions for fire safety equipment, floors and other covers where elderly people are unlikely to hurt themselves; besides, all furniture will have no sharp corners.
  

Living quarters of the second and third floor are designed according to the same plan: On each floor there are two residential zones that occupy two wings of the Home, respectively. The total number of rooms in each wing varies from 16 to 21. One of these rooms is a double room with the total area of 31,5m². Each dwelling zone has a common activity zone, a hygienic room, and an area for the nurse on duty.

Residents’ rooms. Planning and equipment