Third Age Design

Continuing our series, Designing for the Other Four Senses, Lori speaks with the international award-winning Director of The Drawing Room Interiors, Diana Celella, about taste.  Not the ‘good taste’ of a designer or architect, but the way in which interiors can have an impact on health by encouraging appetite. In a follow-up to a previous Innovation Spotlight, we also speak with Salutem Care and Education CEO, John Godden, about the day he switched jobs with a carer and the way it changed his perceptions on needs within the care environment. Guest: Diana Celella, Director, The Drawing Room Interiors Daily Caring: 10 Reasons Why Seniors Lose Their Appetites Social Care Institute for Excellence: Use of glass-fronted refrigerators in dementia environments Background colour and appetite: A paper by Charles Spence, University of Oxford, England Innovation Spotlight Care Home Professional: Care CEO swaps top job for carer role for the day Salutem Care and Education For links to the resources named in this and all our episodes, head over to our podcast page at ⁠ThirdAge.Design⁠. You'll also be able to pick up transcripts of our podcasts, and translate them, too! And, while you're there, be sure to hit the Join Us! button to become part of our community and benefit from sharing essential information on senior environments...along with exclusive content!

According to Alzheimer’s UK, the number of people living with dementia is set to increase from an estimated 57 million back in 2019 to 153 million by 2050. Let’s fight back! Join Lori and her guest Dr. Rob Winningham, professor in psychological science and in gerontology at Western Oregon University, as they discuss essential information on brain health in later life. We don’t ignore the body either, as our Innovation Spotlight guest Chris Zdenek of Soma discusses how posture affects overall health.

In 2025 alone, global losses from fraud have been estimated at between 442 and 534 billion US dollars. Many schemes specifically target older people, who are often more trusting, while at the same time less technologically adept. To protect yourself - and seniors for whom you have any responsibility - listen to this episode's conversation between Lori and Joan Campbell, a retired Police Officer and Maricopa County Community Affairs Coordinator in the US, who shares her top prevention tips…and a few cautionary tales.For links to the resources named in this and past episodes, head over to our podcast page at ⁠ThirdAge.Design⁠.While you're there, be sure to hit the Join Us! button to become part of our community and benefit from sharing essential information on senior environments...along with exclusive content!

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. 

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.

Bariatric care is a crucial consideration in care settings, and specifically addresses the needs of plus-sized individuals. TAD host, Lori Pinkerton-Rolet, talks to expert Tracy Carr, of Fat Lot She Knows, to explore essential design solutions, including supportive furniture, wider spaces and staff training to create safer, more inclusive spaces that cater for higher weight needs. This month’s Innovation Spotlight shines a light on a robust, yet impressively compact, mobility scooter that offers individuals with limited mobility greater comfort and independence.For links to resources related to this episode - there are a lot this month! - please visit us at ⁠thirdage.design/s5e03 - 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.

As Russian artist, Wassily Kandinsky, said: “Colour is a power which directly influences the soul.” As designers of retirement, care or dementia facilities we know that some older people may spend a great deal of time indoors, therefore colour and associated finishes become a critical tool in the development of uplifting and enjoyable environments. Join Lori and her guests Tony Westgarth and Dawn Scott from Akzo Nobel, one of the world’s largest paint companies, as they discuss paint colour palettes and finishes recommended for older people…and why! For links to resources related to this episode, please visit us at thirdage.design/s5e01 - 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.

In our Year End Special, host Lori Pinkerton-Rolet travels to the Netherlands to interview Eloy van Hal, co-founder of Hogeweyk Village, the renowned, pioneering dementia care facility. How does the supermarket function has the hub of the care home? Why should we be redefining safety and risk when it comes to dementia environments? Listen to find out the lessons learned, what has changed since this ground-breaking facility opened 15 years ago, and where dementia care could go from here. For links to resources related to this episode, please visit us at thirdage.design/hogeweyk-lessons - 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.

Senior Living, residential care and dementia design is a constantly changing landscape. TAD host Lori Pinkerton-Rolet is joined by two of the top designers from within this sector in the United Kingdom: Diana Celella and Tracey Richards, for a lively discussion about current and future changes sure to resonate with listeners from around the globe. This is Part 2 of a 2-part discussion recorded and hosted by Shackleton’s Furniture in Dewsberry, England and focuses on the effect that changes in care models have on facilities design. The discussion also covers creative ways to solve the perennial challenges of storage and the impact that new technologies have on project budgets. On the panel: Diana Celella-Director, The Drawing Room Interiors, UK Tracey Richards-Director, Three Nine Designs, UK Lori Pinkerton-Rolet-Director, Park Grove Design, UK Shackletons Furniture Innovation Spotlight: Walk-in bath conversion: UDOOR For links to the resources named in this and past episodes, head over to our podcast page at ThirdAge.Design. While you're there, be sure to hit the Join Us! button to become part of our community and benefit from sharing essential information on senior environments...along with exclusive content!

Senior Living, residential care and dementia design is a constantly changing landscape. In this episode, two top UK designers from this sector, Dianna Celella and Tracey Richards, join TAD host Lori Pinkerton-Rolet for a lively discussion about current and future changes that are sure to resonate with listeners from around the globe. This is Part 1 of a 2-part discussion recorded and hosted by Shackletons Furniture in Dewsberry, England. On the panel: Diana Celella-Director, The Drawing Room Interiors, UK Tracey Richards-Director, Three Nine Designs, UK Lori Pinkerton-Rolet-Director, Park Grove Design, UK Shackletons Furniture Innovation Spotlight: Self-cleaning wall paint and nanoparticles - ScienceDaily For links to the resources named in this and past episodes, head over to our podcast page at ThirdAge.Design. While you're there, be sure to hit the Join Us! button to become part of our community and benefit from sharing essential information on senior environments...along with exclusive content!

What if we were to reimagine senior living around active aging principles that empower older adults to live with purpose, engagement and continual growth? It's not just buildings that need to be designed with a purpose in mind; the people using them also need purpose. We are joined by the founder and CEO of the International Council on Active Aging, Colin Milner, who believes that retirement communities need to move away from the status quo and offer environments that support purposeful, engaged living through well-designed, flexible spaces, intergenerational activities, lifelong learning, and wellness-focused programs. Guest: Colin Milner, CEO of the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) White paper on Business Case for Wellness in Senior Living - Download Willow Valley Community - www.willowvalleycommunities.org/ Innovation Spotlight - Lasell Village For links to the resources named in this and past episodes, head over to our podcast page at ThirdAge.Design. While you're there, be sure to hit the Join Us! button to become part of our community and benefit from sharing essential information on senior environments...along with exclusive content!

While true innovators are rare, they contribute to moving society forward in previously unexplored ways. In international interiors, product design, as well as fashion, one truly innovative designer's name pops to the top of the list: Sue Timney. She recently received her first senior living commission for luxury retirement from Wallacea Living in the UK. In this episode, Lori and Sue discuss fresh ideas for using space well, ways to turn boring corridors into inspirational areas and much, much more. Our Innovation Spotlight focuses on the recent surge in interest in hydrotherapy pools, and what’s behind it. Guest: Sue Timney Sue Timney - Wikipedia Timney Fowler Fashion Textile Museum Making Marks, by Sue Timney (Amazon link) Life Doesn't Have to Be Boring - Hello Magazine article by Sue Tinney Wallacea Living Innovation Spotlight: Hydrotherapy pools (Innova Care Concepts) What is Aquatic Therapy - Versus Arthritis Impact of hydrotherapy on skin blood flow: How much is due to moisture and how much is due to heat? - Taylor & Francis Research Report Scientific Evidence-Based Effects of Hydrotherapy on Various Systems of the Body - National Library of Medicine Hydrotherapy Pools: New Guidance and The Impact on the Aquatic Physiotherapist - link to pdf For links to the resources named in this and all our episodes, head over to our ⁠podcast page at ⁠⁠⁠⁠ThirdAge.Design⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. You'll⁠ also be able to pick up transcripts of our podcasts, and translate them, too! And, while you're there, be sure to hit the Join Us! button to become part of our community and benefit from sharing essential information on senior environments... along with a TAD Extra: exclusive content that you'll receive right away!

In December 2023, we reviewed a landlocked cruise lifestyle for Independent and Assisted Living, based in the US and designed for the US market. In this episode Third Age Design engages with what happens when an operator takes this a step further, creating a truly international resort for Senior Living. As part of our continuing World Series of Design, join Lori and her guest, Line Coleman, of Ciudad Patricia in Spain, as they examine the necessary requirements for creating this residential model, and also the innovative way in which they are using unsold stock to everyone’s benefit. For links to the resources named in this and all our episodes, head over to our podcast page at ⁠⁠⁠⁠ThirdAge.Design⁠⁠⁠⁠. You'll⁠ also be able to pick up transcripts of our podcasts, and translate them, too! And, while you're there, be sure to hit the Join Us! button to become part of our community and benefit from sharing essential information on senior environments... along with a TAD Extra: exclusive content that you'll receive right away!

It’s become the norm to hear AI mentioned on a daily basis. But what does AI actually mean, and what impact is it likely to have globally on senior living? Join TAD host Lori Pinkerton-Rolet this month’s special guest Dr. Chris Papadopoulos, of the University of Bedfordshire, for an in-depth discussion on the benefits and risks...and the need for ethical and inclusive technology integration to address loneliness and other concerns. Is AI something we should embrace, or approach with trepidation? Listen and decide for yourself… For links to the resources named in this and all our episodes, head over to our podcast page at ⁠⁠⁠ThirdAge.Design⁠⁠⁠. You'll⁠ also be able to pick up transcripts of our podcasts, and translate them, too! And, while you're there, be sure to hit the Join Us! button to become part of our community and benefit from sharing essential information on senior environments... along with a TAD Extra: exclusive content that you'll receive right away!

There can be no greater honour for a designer than to design the final places in which people someone will spend the final hours of their lives; the space in which family and friends will recall their final moments with their loved one. Lori speaks with Professor Emeritus Paul Eshelman, of Cornell University in the United States, about important criteria for design in these environments, as well as laying down challenges for the next generation of design professionals. For links to the resources named in this and all our episodes, head over to our podcast page at ⁠⁠ThirdAge.Design⁠⁠. You'll⁠ also be able to pick up transcripts of our podcasts, and translate them, too! And, while you're there, be sure to hit the Join Us! button to become part of our community and benefit from sharing essential information on senior environments... along with a TAD Extra: exclusive content that you'll receive right away!