Aging In The Designed Environment

Aging in the Designed Environment is the key sourcebook for physical and occupational therapists developing and implementing environmental designs for the aging. The physical environment remains one of the most overlooked areas in environmental design. In order to move beyond this status quo, persons responsible for planning elderly environments must develop a new understanding of ways in which their influence can improve the older adult’s physical and mental functioning. Occupational and physical therapists, as well as other health care professionals, will benefit tremendously from the information presented in this unique volume. Designers, developers, and others with minimal health care background will also find a wealth of possibilities within Aging in the Designed Environment. Many concerns are dealt with in the book’s five sections. The first section describes the implications that occur when there are changes in vision, hearing, taste, smell, touch, and the kinesthetic systems. Recommendations for environmental adaptation and modifications which may compensate for the changes in each of these systems are suggested. The second section stresses the relationship between behavior and environment. A variety of environmental attributes--comfort, privacy, accessibility, control, security, dignity--and their impacts are discussed, along with information on ways that attributes can be incorporated into the living settings of older people. In section three the focus is on the older person living independently in his or her own home, and section four covers exclusively the design and selection of chairs for older adults. New ways to assess and evaluate the home to promote independence beyond the traditional activities of daily living are addressed. The last section deals with redesigning the existing long-term care facility. The author examines some of the environmental conditions existing in specific facilities and provides recommendations to compensate for these circumstances.

Architecture/Interior Design An in-depth look at the most innovative aged care facilities today With the world's population aging at a rapid pace, there is a growing need for new ways to provide residential care for older people. Design for Aging explores some of the most successful examples of elderly housing today, focusing on integrating architectural considerations within an unwavering people-driven approach. Written by an international team of experts in aged care design, the book brings together twenty-six case studies from around the world, including Australia, Denmark, England, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States. The authors describe how each scheme has succeeded in addressing the needs of its residents regardless of wide variations in design, geography, cultural factors, medical needs, capital cost, and other factors. Clear, well-documented information for each facility includes: Building descriptions and project data, and how the overall design fits within a geographical location The type of community, including number of residents, ethnicity, and specific conditions such as dementia How to apply universal design principles in different political, social, and regulatory contexts How to create a sense of belonging and well-being for residents while building strong connections with the community at large What makes a facility able to attract and retain high-quality caregivers Environmental sustainability issues, plus indoor and outdoor spaces Architects and interior designers as well as facility owners and caregivers will find Design for Aging an inspiring and practical guide on how to navigate the many factors involved in creating good designs for aged care environments.

Third in the series, this book addresses the social implications of architectural and interpersonal environments for older people. It suggests how society and its structures can enhance the productivity of, and preserve the quality of life for, older residents in a community. The study investigates new approaches to the problem, including new housing alternatives and new strategies for reflecting the needs of the elderly in housing construction.

Provide a comfortable living environment for the aging! Aging in Place: Designing, Adapting, and Enhancing the Home Environment gives you a complete examination of current trends in adaptive home designs for older adults. As a therapist, designer, architect, builder, home planner, social worker, community organizer, or gerontologist, Aging in Place will show you innovative home designs and studies for creating environments that offer optimal living for aging adults. Complete with diagrams, floor plans, and tables, Aging in Place helps you to improve the quality of life for the elderly by offering them state-of-the-art designs that encourage independence and dignity. This unique and exciting book covers topics such as universal design which strives to create everyday environments and products like door handles and light switches that are usable by all people to the greatest extent possible, regardless of age or ability. Aging in Place will also show you how to: use follow-up visits by occupational therapists to ensure successful use of home modifications create environments that are helpful for vision rehabilitation by using controlled lighting and color schemes evaluate the quality of life for elderly people living in personal dwellings, specialized housing, and nursing homes explore architectural barriers and the uses of helping devices for elderly people examine research critiques of adaptive toilet equipment investigate modifications that have been made in homes for the elderly in India analyze ways in which elderly people have changed their homes to make the telephone more accessible Aging in Place is a complete guide to understanding the needs and latest trends in optimizing the living space of elderly persons. The book gives you access to several studies on elderly people's environmental needs and preferences in regard to modifications in personal and public dwellings. This information will assist you with better serving the elderly by helping them live more independently.

Examines various aspects of the design and function of aged care assisted living facilities. Includes the needs of people with dementia and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Authored by the American Institute of Architects? Design for Aging Center, Design for Aging Post Occupancy Evaluations features well-researched post-occupancy evaluations for approximately forty senior living facilities previously featured in the AIA Design for Aging Review. Post-occupancy evaluations help determine if the facilities are truly providing an environment for the aging that enhances quality of life, minimizes their physiological ailments, and provide a caregiver?s working environment that allows for efficiency and efficacy. Each project in the book is evaluated based upon its overall design and care program, the relationship between the general environment and the general care program, obstacles and resolutions within the building program and/or the jurisdictional code requirements, and other salient factors.

Architecture/Interior Design An in-depth look at the most innovative aged care facilities today With the world's population aging at a rapid pace, there is a growing need for new ways to provide residential care for older people. Design for Aging explores some of the most successful examples of elderly housing today, focusing on integrating architectural considerations within an unwavering people-driven approach. Written by an international team of experts in aged care design, the book brings together twenty-six case studies from around the world, including Australia, Denmark, England, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States. The authors describe how each scheme has succeeded in addressing the needs of its residents regardless of wide variations in design, geography, cultural factors, medical needs, capital cost, and other factors. Clear, well-documented information for each facility includes: Building descriptions and project data, and how the overall design fits within a geographical location The type of community, including number of residents, ethnicity, and specific conditions such as dementia How to apply universal design principles in different political, social, and regulatory contexts How to create a sense of belonging and well-being for residents while building strong connections with the community at large What makes a facility able to attract and retain high-quality caregivers Environmental sustainability issues, plus indoor and outdoor spaces Architects and interior designers as well as facility owners and caregivers will find Design for Aging an inspiring and practical guide on how to navigate the many factors involved in creating good designs for aged care environments.