The Australian population is ageing at a rapid rate. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 20% of Australia’s population will be aged 65 or older by 2040. This trend is supporting growth in the aged care and community living sector, which generated $13.5 billion in revenue in 2014-2015. As more Australians choose to spend their retirement in aged care communities, designers and developers face increased pressure to deliver facilities that offer maximum resident comfort, ease, safety and independence. This requires careful specification of basic, yet essential, design elements such as doors and windows.

'Opening the door on a new age of community living' is an essential guide to specifying doors and circulation spaces for aged care and community living facilities. The key factors in specifying doors, doorways and circulation spaces are discussed including the design guidelines for access and mobility set out in AS 1428.1-2009, AS 1428.2-1992 and AS 1428.4. We also look at other design considerations including ergonomics, opening types and automation. Finally, we present a range of solutions for doorways, doors, windows and circulation spaces designed specifically for the needs of older users living in retirement homes and communities.

Since 1936, Capral has been Australia’s leading manufacturer and distributor of aluminium profiles. Supported by world-class extrusion plants and an extensive distribution network, the Capral range of products delivers quality, durability and outstanding functionality within their versatile range of door and framing solutions.

Download this whitepaper to see how efficient specification of doors and circulation spaces in community living facilities can maximise resident comfort, ease, safety and independence.