All Signs Point to Possibilities “De-Institutionalizing” the Senior Living Community through Design

All Signs Point to Possibilities: “De-Institutionalizing” the Senior Living Community through Design by Mary Leary, President and CEO, Mather LifeWays When someone strolls into The Mathe

All Signs Point to Possibilities:

“De-Institutionalizing” the Senior Living Community through Design

by Mary Leary, President and CEO, Mather LifeWays

When someone strolls into The Mather, its distinctive features immediately stand out Bright, sunny oranges are stacked tastefully in tall, cylindrical glass vases at the front desk From the drawing room

fireplace, an immaculate, horizontal row of aesthetically spaced flames glow invitingly It’s the little

things that create a bigger picture, and sign design and placement throughout our residence are no

exception Our signs tell a story—a story that begins with our founder Alonzo Mather, a humanitarian and innovator who worked to break down the barriers of aging more than 70 years ago

Located in Evanston, Illinois, just steps away from Lake Michigan, Northwestern University, as well as charming shops, cafés, and parks, The Mather is an award-wining1, continuing care retirement community and part of Mather LifeWays, a unique, non-denominational not-for-profit Our operating principle is

“Eliminating my Impossibilities (EMI)”—a direct extension of Alonzo Mather’s vision to create Ways to Age WellSM for older adults—and we do this by caring for and creating new spaces and environments that engage, excite, and inspire them

The Mather introduces to its residents a state of mind that comes from rethinking shelved priorities and delayed wishes, and its surroundings pleasurably translate this feeling As one starts peeking around corners and reading signs throughout our residence, our organizational goal of “turning senior living upside down” becomes immediately obvious

Where most senior living residences have a multi-purpose room, The Mather has a “Possibilities” room—a place where anything is possible When residents walk into this space for a yoga class, educational event,

or even to read-through a play, they are metaphorically—and perhaps even literally—transformed because exciting Ways to Age Well take place there

1 The Mather was awarded three Gold Awards from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in the categories of Best

Repositioned Community (Active Adult Housing) and Best Continuing Care Retirement Community on the Boards (2012); selected to be

featured in the publication Design for Aging Review, 11th edition, as a Citation Award Recipient for innovative design features and

approaches (2011); received Midwest Construction magazine’s Best of 2010 Award (Merit, Multi-Family Residential/Hospitality); and

awarded best Interior Design and Landscape Design by Design Evanston (2010).

The humorous, “self-aware” tone behind the name outside

our offices, “The Suits,” is yet another example of how a

typical space can be changed into an inviting, approachable

place Institutional communities may physically situate

administrative staff separately, therefore creating a

psychological “separateness” from residents At The Mather,

“The Suits” have a sense of humor about themselves, and it

shows that we are readily available to residents, family, and guests as well as a part of the whole

community

Our use of signage takes a typical building’s utilitarian, internal way-finding system and creates a

creative, fun, and memorable experience—ultimately a goal in assisting all residents and visitors of The Mather

Using parts of Alonzo Mather’s personal history is another way we have utilized design and space with a new twist The Mather is not a traditional retirement community, and Alonzo Mather’s innovative past, including his numerous patents for inventions—everything from a humane railroad stock car and a “self-tying machine” for shoe and glove laces to a personal human flying machine (yes, metallic wings!)—is incorporated into the design

One example is 31, an onsite restaurant that offers a relaxed, Zen-like atmosphere and including a floor-to ceiling water wall and Asian inspired artwork The significance of the number 31? Alonzo Mather’s age

when he designed a humane railroad stock car for safe transport of livestock, earning him a National Humane Society Award and the bulk of his fortune

Another sign that incorporates distinctive design, and perhaps the

signature example, is Patent’s Place, a restaurant at The Mather with

a warm, friendly décor that offers all-day, casual dining Graphic elements that adorn the walls, in addition to the name of the restaurant itself, commemorate Alonzo Mather’s many US patents and designs The signage itself incorporates the patent number for Alonzo’s humane stock car design, and throughout the restaurant, there are drawings of Alonzo’s patented design for a personal flying machine; a vintage postcard painting of The Mather Tower on 75 East Wacker (once

the tallest building in Chicago and a Chicago landmark); original architectural drawings for the Peace Bridge, which was conceived by Alonzo Mather to connect the US and Canada at Niagara Falls; a

drawing of Mather’s humane stock car from the 1880s; and an illustration of Mather’s patented design for

a mechanism to tie shoe and glove laces

Whether it’s our programming, people, or environment, words such as “ageless” and “innovative” are often used to describe The Mather At our residence, indoor design ultimately aims to transform our spaces to promote resident physical health and social engagement And that helps everyone Age Well!

Sign outside the “Moving Parts” room, for those participating in physical therapy Another example of how signage can lend a fun feel to an entire residence.

For more information about The Mather, a forward-thinking destination

for those who’ve always planned ahead, call (847) 492.7400

or visit us online at www.thematherevanston.com.