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The gap that nobody is fixing
In most cities, housing is one system and healthcare is another. They are funded separately. Designed separately. Regulated separately. But people don’t live in systems—they live in homes, move through buildings, and rely on care that fits into their real lives.
When real estate and healthcare are designed in isolation, people pay the price. Poor layouts, broken access, or unsafe living spaces can lead directly to worse health. Meanwhile, health facilities that ignore physical space can cause confusion, stress, or even injury.
This is not an abstract idea. It plays out every day. In senior housing with no ramps. In overcrowded homes that cause mental strain. In clinics that feel cold and chaotic.
It doesn’t need to be this way.
Where the disconnect starts
Most developers are not thinking about patient care. Most care providers are not trained in design or planning. They operate in silos. This means major decisions—about layout, light, flow, accessibility—get made with no feedback loop.
“We redesigned a day care centre by widening hallways and removing visual clutter,” said Timur Yusufov, a healthcare operator who started in real estate. “Accidents dropped, and staff could do their jobs better. That didn’t cost millions. It was just better layout.”
Small changes can make a big difference. But the two systems have to work together from the start.
Four numbers that show the problem
- 1 in 3 people over 65 falls each year. Many of these falls happen in homes or care settings due to poor layout or lighting (CDC).
- 3 million older adults go to the emergency room each year because of fall-related injuries. Most of these are preventable.
- 90% of adults want to age in place, but most homes are not built for long-term use or accessibility (AARP).
- Roughly 70% of medical outcomes are influenced by social and environmental factors—including housing (National Academy of Medicine).
Housing and care are linked. The data is clear.
Common design mistakes that affect health
Narrow halls and doorways
People using walkers or wheelchairs can’t move freely. Staff get bottlenecked in tight corners.
Poor lighting
Dark rooms or overexposed spaces raise anxiety and reduce visibility. Good lighting supports focus and safety.
Multi-level living with no support
Stairs without rails, no lift access, and tight bathrooms increase fall risk—especially for older adults.
Noise and echo
Loud spaces add to confusion, especially in care settings where many patients are already overwhelmed.
These are not expensive problems to fix. But they require coordination.
How to close the gap
Involve real estate experts in care planning
Before a new clinic or care centre is designed, bring in someone who understands building systems, maintenance, and layout. Not just after permits are filed—before plans are drawn.
Include healthcare feedback in housing development
If you’re building housing in a community with high care needs, talk to providers. They can flag what’s missing—like clear access for ambulances, room for caregivers, or safe entry paths.
Use shared checklists
Many problems come from missed basics. Create one shared checklist for both housing and care projects. Include items like hallway width, zero-step entries, natural light access, air flow, noise control, and sightlines.
Share metrics
Track how space affects health. This includes falls, ER visits, appointment no-shows, and mobility issues. Use that data to change layouts, not just operations.
Plan for ageing in place
Install reinforcement for future grab bars. Keep entryways flat. Use non-slip floors. Offer flexible floor plans. These are minor investments with major long-term payoff.
“We added reinforced walls behind showers, even when the family didn’t ask,” said Yusufov. “Later, they needed grab bars. They didn’t have to tear anything out. That’s how we design for life—not just the moment.”
What developers can do today
- Visit care facilities. Watch how people move through them.
- Build flexible spaces with future adaptations in mind.
- Test lighting, noise, and air flow during design—not just after.
- Partner with local clinics or care organisations for feedback.
- Add one or two units in every housing project that are fully accessible.
- Stop designing homes that assume everyone is 35 and mobile.
What care operators can do today
- Walk your space with a facility planner or architect.
- Measure staff steps, friction points, and wait times.
- Collect patient feedback about space—not just care.
- Identify quick wins (e.g., removing clutter, improving flow).
- Ask what parts of the building add stress—and fix them.
A better model starts with asking better questions
What if every housing project asked how it supports health?
What if every clinic was designed with flow and comfort in mind?
What if builders and care teams worked from the same playbook?
It’s not just possible—it’s already happening in small pockets. The challenge is scale.
Final thoughts
Housing and healthcare are not separate for the people who live in them. So they shouldn’t be separate for the teams who design and operate them.
By bringing the two systems together—early, intentionally, and repeatedly—we can build spaces that actually work for real life.
That’s not a trend. That’s a better baseline.
And it’s one Timur Yusufov is already putting into practice—by refusing to choose between real estate and care, and building systems that support both.
