The proponent must meet the following Architectural Design Requirements in relation to building and physical environment.

SECTION A RESIDENCE/FACILITY AND SUPPORT STANDARDS

The housing proponents will provide accommodations that meet or exceed legislated requirements including Alberta Building Codes, Fire Safety Codes, Land Use (zoning) Bylaws, all as established by the local building authority and the Province of Alberta. The project may also need to meet those design requirements stipulated by Alberta Health Services if the project is to be used for Designated Assisted Living in the future. Operators will demonstrate efforts to incorporate features that maximize accessibility, resident privacy, and personal choice.

1. General Building Requirements

In addition to meeting the above established building requirements, any project upgrading or development should be committed to the achievement of:

1. A minimum of barrier-free design throughout resident accessible areas. Comply with the requirements of the latest Barrier Free Design Guide, of the Alberta Building Code.
2. Convenient access to outdoor space appropriate to resident needs.
3. Stairs, hallways, ramps and exits that are well lit, unobstructed and of adequate width to accommodate walkers and wheelchairs.
4. Safe and secure handrails on all corridors.
5. Accessible office space for visiting health professionals and community service workers.
6. Accessible mailbox system.
7. Adequate laundry facilities for residents, or their families, to do residents' personal laundry.
8. Adequate linen laundry facilities. If contractual services are used, provide an area for soiled linen awaiting pickup and a separate area for storage and distribution of clean linen.
9. Public washrooms for use by residents and public conveniently located in areas commonly used by residents and the public. Washrooms can be unisex.
10. When required, provision for 24-hour distribution of medications including locked storage for controlled drugs.
11. Lockable storage for resident records.

2. Site Requirements

1. Supportive living projects shall obtain applicable land use (zoning) approval from the local jurisdiction.
2. Roadways shall be provided within the property for convenient and direct access to the main public entrance and to service areas. Provide access for fire department and emergency vehicles in accordance with local requirements.
3. Each supportive living project shall have parking spaces to satisfy the needs of residents, staff, and visitors.

3. Resident Rooms

Operators should be able to demonstrate their efforts to incorporate the following features that maximize resident privacy and personal choice:

1. Resident room sizes (area and dimensions) that permit residents to move within the room with assistance of a walker or wheelchair and that allow access to at least one side of the bed for transfers.
2. Private room accommodation with access to an ensuite private bathroom. Some semi-private room accommodation for couples will be permitted. The use of bathrooms shared between resident rooms is discouraged.
3. Make available, at no cost to the resident, a bed and mattress as well as other furniture including chair(s), dresser and night stand, if the resident chooses not to provide her/his own.
4. An emergency call station with 24-hour monitoring in the sleeping area.
5. Individual connections for a telephone, cable television, and conveniently located electrical outlets in each room.
6. Operable windows to the exterior or to naturally lit interior areas must be configured to enable unobstructed viewing from a seated position and with window curtains or blinds that fully cover the windows when closed.
7. Lever handled resident room door locking hardware. Residents will be allowed 24-hour access to the facility and to their rooms with keys provided by the operator. Where room entrance door closers are required to meet building code, they shall be sentronic swing free type.
8. A kitchenette with suitable appliances (e.g., microwave oven, sink, and small refrigerator).
9. Storage for personal items designed to permit access by residents with reduced upper and lower reach capability.
10. A three-piece, wheelchair accessible bathroom within each resident room. Each bathroom will be equipped with a toilet, sink and provision for bathing (either a handicapped accessible bathtub or shower). Each resident bathroom must include the following:
    1. A wheelchair accessible turning space of 1500 mm. (5 feet) in diameter, and appropriate space for door swing.
    2. Adequate ventilation.
    3. Access door with clear width of 900 mm (36.0 inches). Privacy hardware that can be unlocked from the outside in case of an emergency.
    4. Non-skid surfaces on floors, and grab bars installed for toilet, bathtub, and shower transfers.
    5. Adequate vanity space and shelving for storage of personal items.
    6. Lever faucets and a hand-held shower fixture on vertical rail.
    7. At a minimum, allowance for one-sided transfer onto toilet.
    8. Toilets having a minimum height of 407 to 457 mm (16 inches to 18 inches).
    9. Emergency call station with 24-hour monitoring.

4. Common Bathing Areas

A common bathing room will include the following features:

1. Therapeutic tub with automated temperature control and appropriate lifting device.
2. Hand-sink and handicapped toilet.
3. Storage for towels.

5. Common Amenity Areas

The facility will include common amenity spaces of sufficient size and accessible to all residents to accommodate life enrichment activities and group activities including the following:

1. Dining, social gathering and multi-purpose activity areas (e.g., exercise area, space for worship) with furniture layout and space to accommodate people with mobility aids.
2. An area for personal care needs such as a beauty parlor.
3. Entrance and reception area with sufficient seating to accommodate waiting.

6. Environmental Requirements

1. Supportive living facilities shall incorporate features and finishes that optimize sensory functions and facilitate mobility, including ambulation and self-propulsion. Provide features that optimize independent way finding. Potential hazards to residents, including sharp corners, slippery floors, loose carpets, and exposed hot surfaces shall be avoided.
2. Hallways, stairways, exits and ramps must be well lit and kept clear of objects that could cause falls or obstruct passage. Colour contrasting may be necessary.
3. Lighting levels throughout residential areas of the facility should be at a minimum 210 lumens and avoid uneven lighting levels in residential areas.
4. Public elevators must be provided for multi storey living facilities. Elevator car/cab size must accommodate stretcher or gurney. In multi-storey settings consideration of two elevator cabs is strongly recommended.
5. Sidewalks, exterior stairs and ramps must have adequate drainage.
6. Outdoor areas shall be provided for residents, visitors, and staff. Outdoors spaces may include gardens on grade or on roof decks or solaria, and balconies.

SECTION B RESIDENTS WITH DEMENTIA

For those proponents contemplating a project that will be targeting accommodation for residents with dementia, the proponent must contact Alberta Health Services for specific details relating to the design of such a facility with regard to:

1. Maintaining a safe and secure environment
2. Appropriate sensory and social stimulation of the environment
3. Normalization and control over the environment