Episode 12:6 Melinda P. Ávila -Torio on Thinking Forward in Senior Design

The Associate Principal and Senior Interior Designer of THW Design and board member of the American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers (AAHID)has been an advocate for inclusive and ethical design for older adults for 23 years. Learn about intentional planning to create spaces that reflect today’s residents’ interests and concerns for mental and physical health, the environment and social impact.

About Melinda

Melinda Ávila -Torio, NCIDQ, RID, CHID, CASP, LEED ® AP, IIDA is Associate Principal and Senior Interior Designer at THW Design, one of the nation’s top senior living design firms for nearly four decades. She is a CHID Board-Certified Healthcare Interior Designer through AAHID, a Registered Interior Designer (RID), Certified Aging Specialist Professional (Leading Age CASP) and Certified LEED AP (U.S. Green Building Council.) Melinda holds a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design and Master of Science in Architecture from Virginia Tech.

Key Takeaways

• There is improvement in food service integration and the ways culinary arts are delivered in senior living. New models reflect generations of cultural traditions and health practices, while using technology to explore the world through food.
• Dining service has moved away from “three squares a day”and is intertwined in the physical environment with access to bistros, wellness cafes, libraries with local coffee, specialty pubs offering regional craft beer and wine.
• Intentional planning injects socialization as a key ingredient. Flexible multi-purpose rooms respond to residents’ needs as well as families and the community at large.
• Team members need well-lit, comfortable spaces for decompression and recovery. Services such as fitness, wellness, laundry, and food service should extend to staff.