Resident Joins Panel Judging Care Centers
Lester Churchill has never considered himself an authority on interior accouterments, building design or ergonomics, but he knows what he likes and he knows what works.
So Churchill was happy to share his expertise this week as a judge for the annual design competition sponsored by the Assisted Living Federation of America.
Chosen from a pool of nationwide applicants, Churchill, who lives at The Victorian in Ventura, joined a panel of four architects to judge 28 assisted-care facility designs. This was the first year a resident of such a facility participated in the judging.
ALFA, a nationwide organization of assisted-care facilities, has more than 3,000 members and works to safeguard and promote better living standards for those requiring full-time medical supervision.
“I was quite honored to receive the request [to participate],” said the 82-year-old Churchill, a retired toolmaking executive. “This year I think we gave it a different slant, from the inside out.”
While the architects employed more empirical standards, Churchill relied on his experience as a resident to make his decision.
“I looked for things like where the bedrooms are and how close they are to common areas,” Churchill said. “Their size was also important.”
Some of the other panelists were impressed with what Churchill brought to the judging.
“He raised some very interesting questions,” said Victor Regnier, a professor of architecture at the University of Southern California and one of the contest judges. “His perspective, from that of a resident, was invaluable, and it gave us direction.”
Churchill was chosen to represent residents after The Victorian’s administrators submitted an essay detailing Churchill’s good works at the facility.
“He’s just a dynamo,” said Lynne Miller, director of campus activities at the center. “He’s always been extremely vigilant in taking resident concerns to the administration so we can give them better care.”
Since coming to The Victorian after suffering two major heart attacks more than three years ago, Churchill has worked to improve the level of comfort and care at the facility.
He served as the first resident-council president and was reelected for a second term. He also worked to overhaul the center’s menus by adding new items to suit individual tastes. And he has expanded the library from 300 volumes to 900 and recently organized a gardening club.
Churchill, who said he plans to travel to Phoenix in April for the awards ceremony for the best-designed community, enjoyed the experience.
“In the past, people have had experts judging other experts, but now they figured we should have a representative from the residents,” Churchill said. “It’s a good idea.”
