Third Age Design

We start our 6th season with an interview in which our host is actually our guest! TAD Marketing Director, Valerie Adler, talks to Lori about the importance of “Wellness” as a concept, and the launch of the Wellness Interior Design Audit (WIDA).

Wellness should be more than just a marketing phrase. The audit, a result of a year of research and peer-reviewed by a panel of sector experts, is a self-assessment whose results will help you make modifications to your facility that can genuinely (and sometimes dramatically) improve wellness for residents, staff and guests.

Lighting is a integral part of designing any interior space, but it takes on added significance in situations where older people may not go out as often as they might have when they were younger. In this episode, Kam Dhatt, an international expert in circadian lighting, joins Lori for a discussion that touches on his research into chronobiology and the neuroscience of light. Even if you think you understand the science behind circadian lighting, we promise you: there’s a lot here you will never before have considered!

This month’s Innovation Spotlight shines this month on Inclusive Design products from the German manufacturer HEWI for bath and shower rooms.  

In Part 2 of Lori’s interview with Geraint Thomas, of Guided Innovation, we learn about what we should expect AI to do, and what we shouldn’t let it near...as well as a potential future for the use of driverless cars for staff members and much, much more. Geraint has chosen this month’s ‘Innovation Spotlight’ for us, too, and it relates to an interesting new direction in technology for senior living which we’ve never even heard of before!

In Part 1 of Lori’s interview with Geraint Thomas, Director and founder of Guided Innovation, we’ll hear why so many technology companies have entered the market and how users in the health and social care sectors can best assess the types of tech they actually require. 

This month’s Innovation Spotlight shines on ‘full-spectrum environmental monitoring,’ offering contributions to wellness of both Residents and staff. 

If you speak with anyone in the Care industry about their number one challenge, staffing usually tops the list. In this episode we unpick elements which might make it easier to recruit and - as important - retain staff.

Perhaps you’ve noticed that recent immigration policy and Brexit haven’t helped! Join us as there are some environmental ‘easy wins’ which Lori discusses with this month’s special guest, Karolina Gerlich, CEO of The Care Workers’ Charity.

What if access to nature were seen as essential, not optional, in eldercare? In this episode, Susan Ryan of The Green House Project explores how integrating outdoor space and the rhythms of the natural world into small-home care models is transforming life for residents and staff alike.

From gardens that spark memory to front porches that foster connection, the Green House approach goes far beyond traditional design. With a focus on small homes, empowered staff teams, and person-directed living, this approach offers more than just better outcomes - it reignites purpose and joy for both residents and carers. For care providers seeking a meaningful, sustainable shift, this is essential listening. Prepare to be inspired!

For links to resources related to this episode, please visit us at ⁠⁠thirdage.design/podcasts/⁠ - and while you're there, hit the Join Us button! We'll show our thanks for your interest by sending you our periodic, exclusive - and free! - TAD Extra.

What happens when dementia care meets life on the farm? In this episode of Third Age Design, Lori Pinkerton-Rolet talks with Rebekah Churchyard, founder of Green Care Farms - Canada’s first dementia day program on a working farm. Discover how alpacas, goats, gardening, and the great outdoors bring joy, connection, and a renewed sense of purpose to participants. Rooted in biophilic design and inspired by personal experience, this innovative model is changing lives.

And there are aspects of this programme which translate to other settings, so have a listen and prepare to be inspired!

In this episode, Lori and tile expert, Luke Thurtle, dive into the world of tile design, offering essential advice for senior environment designers, architects, and care home owner/operators. Luke tackles the confusion around slip resistance, explains why aiming for an R13 rating isn’t always the best choice and advocates for pendulum testing in wet and dry conditions. He also shares insights on the growing sustainability of tile production, the longevity of ceramic and porcelain, and the benefits of epoxy grout for areas requiring high resilience and hygiene control. And, you'll get a sneak peek at future trends, from large-format tiles to exciting geometric designs for senior care spaces.

For our listeners: this recording was a TAD EXTRA that was too good not to share to our wider podcast audience. Please enjoy this further exploration of our visit to The Hogeweyk, the world famous, world class dementia village on the outskirts of Amsterdam, Netherlands.

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