378 CHAPTER l4

   

Naturally mapped pathways and treatment garden landmarks,
Woburn and Marlboro, Massachusetts.

attributes of each room, their functioning amygdalae enable them to remember
the “feel” of each.

Bedrooms provide residents the opportunity for privacy and personaliza—
tion surrounded by their personal furniture and mementos. All but six of the
twenty-six bedrooms have a dedicated bathroom, while each of the three two-
bedroom apartments has a common bathroom. Residents live with their own
furniture, wall hangings, and other decorations—all cues to improve memory
and reduce agitation.

Adjacent to the common room, a wide outdoor porch provides access to a
large therapeutic healing garden. The covered porch is wide enough to sit on and
provides a view over the garden. A gentle ramp leads down to the completely
enclosed garden a half level below. Designed with landscaped care and residen-
tial and wayfinding principles, it features a clear walking path, planting boxes,
benches, and landmarks to help orient residents (Zeisel and Tyson, 1999).

Each room in the assisted living treatment residence is scaled to feel residen-
tial—with the exception of the large dining room that can seat all twenty-six res—
idents. The ceilings are low, the furniture residential in style, and unique decora-
tive borders on the walls reflect the use of each room. The size of the residence
provides the opportunity for everyone who lives, works, and visits there to get to

 

Memory boxes remind everyone to see residents as people first.