Department of Interior design, Iowa state university, Ames, IA, USA.
Department of Interior design, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.
HERD. 2023 Oct;16(4):132-145. doi: 10.1177/19375867231185851. Epub 2023 Jul 11.
The main purpose of this research is to understand the wayfinding experience of older adults with dementia in long-term care facilities and identifying environmental design elements that support older adults' spatial abilities.
Wayfinding problems are the earliest symptoms of dementia, and older adults with cognitive impairment are more likely to get lost in the community and consequences cause psychological responses such as insecurity, agitation, and falling in their environment.
The research used data collected from 30 caregivers of two long-term care facilities in the Midwest through a survey and interview on their perceptions of wayfinding design elements.
The research findings highlighted on caregivers' perception on wayfinding experience of older adults with dementia. The findings show a significant difference between importance and satisfaction on floor pattern and visibility in the facilities. Study indicated that glass partitions in the middle of the hall and corridor can create visual obstruction for older adults and barrier for staff as well to keep visual track on them. The qualitative study revealed that different colored doors for individual patient room in a memory care enhance older adults' wayfinding abilities. In addition, in case of multisensory stimuli, noise and smell can improve their wayfinding abilities as well.
The conclusion of the study highlights the importance of understanding the design elements that can be effective in creating a safer environment for older adults with dementia.
本研究的主要目的是了解痴呆症老年人在长期护理设施中的寻路体验，并确定支持老年人空间能力的环境设计元素。
寻路问题是痴呆症的最早症状，认知障碍的老年人在社区中更容易迷路，后果会导致他们在环境中产生不安全、烦躁和摔倒等心理反应。
该研究通过对中西部两个长期护理设施的 30 名护理人员进行调查和访谈，收集了他们对寻路设计元素的看法。
研究结果强调了护理人员对痴呆症老年人寻路体验的看法。研究结果表明，设施中的地面图案和可见度在重要性和满意度上存在显著差异。研究表明，大厅和走廊中间的玻璃隔板会给老年人造成视觉障碍，也会给工作人员造成障碍，难以跟踪他们。定性研究表明，记忆护理中为每个病人房间设置不同颜色的门可以增强老年人的寻路能力。此外，在多感官刺激的情况下，噪音和气味也可以改善他们的寻路能力。
研究的结论强调了理解设计元素的重要性，这些元素可以有效地为痴呆症老年人创造一个更安全的环境。
