Rom Yifat, Morag Ido, Palgi Yuval, Isaacson Michal
Department of Gerontology, University of Haifa, Abba Khushi Ave. 199, Haifa, 3498838, Israel.
Shenkar College of Engineering and Design, School of Industrial Engineering and Management, Ramat Gan, 5252626, Israel.
Sci Rep. 2025 Aug 25;15(1):31235. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-14586-9.
The fast-growing number of individuals with dementia worldwide has prompted the establishment of specialized dementia units; yet these facilities may not always meet their residents' well-being needs. This study, therefore, examined correlations between the architectural layout of seven dementia units and their residents' well-being. Physical well-being was measured in terms of comfort and stimulation, while social well-being was measured in terms of status, behavioral confirmation, and affection. The residents' verbal and physical agitated behaviors were also observed and documented. Diverse correlations were found between the five well-being dimensions and agitated behaviors. Negative correlations were seen between layouts that support residents' physical well-being, verbal agitation, and all agitated behaviors combined. Yet unexpectedly, inconsistencies were seen between layouts that support residents' social well-being and agitated behaviors, with increased agitated behaviors occurring in layouts that support status and affection. This exploratory study offers insights into the significance of the architectural layout of dementia units in augmenting residents' well-being. Furthermore, this novel research sheds light on the potential of employing quantitative tools for comprehensively examining the spatial configurations of such units. Incorporating a descriptive well-being dimension into quantitative investigations can enhance our understanding of such environments, offering a promising avenue for optimizing residents' overall well-being.
全球痴呆症患者数量的快速增长促使了专门的痴呆症护理单元的设立；然而，这些设施可能并不总能满足其居民的福祉需求。因此，本研究考察了七个痴呆症护理单元的建筑布局与其居民福祉之间的相关性。身体福祉通过舒适度和刺激程度来衡量，而社会福祉则通过地位、行为确认和情感来衡量。还观察并记录了居民的言语和身体激动行为。在五个福祉维度和激动行为之间发现了多种相关性。支持居民身体福祉的布局与言语激动以及所有激动行为的总和之间存在负相关。然而，出乎意料的是，支持居民社会福祉的布局与激动行为之间存在不一致，在支持地位和情感的布局中，激动行为有所增加。这项探索性研究为痴呆症护理单元建筑布局在增强居民福祉方面的重要性提供了见解。此外，这项新颖的研究揭示了运用定量工具全面研究此类单元空间配置的潜力。将描述性福祉维度纳入定量调查可以增进我们对此类环境的理解，为优化居民的整体福祉提供了一条有前景的途径。
