Ambient Scent as a Positive Distraction in Long-Term Care Units: Theory of Supportive Design

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 158-172
Author(s):  
Suyeon Bae ◽  
Abimbola O. Asojo
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Placebo Effect ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Healing Process ◽  
Institutional Setting ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Supportive Design ◽  
Ambient Scent

Aim: This study was designed to explore the associations between an ambient scent environment and residents’ wellness in long-term care facilities. Background: The number of older adults living in an institutional setting has been steadily but slowly increasing. Because of a higher chance of having psychological disorders among people living in institutional settings than people living in noninstitutional settings, providing a supportive institutional setting is critical to enhance their wellness. The theory of supportive design suggests healthcare facilities can lower people’s stress levels via three conditions (i.e., perceived control, social support, and positive distractions). Method: A single-blind and placebo-randomized controlled study investigated the impacts of ambient scent environment, as a positive distraction, on residents’ depression levels. The recruited residents ( N = 58) were randomly assigned into either the intervention group, which received a 1% dilution of lavender scent for 2 weeks nearby their bedside or the placebo group, which received a nonscent for 2 weeks. Results: Their depression levels were measured by the Geriatric Depression Scale. Based on the t tests, both intervention and placebo groups had improvement in depression, indicating a placebo effect of lavender scent. Further regression analyses explored the interaction effects of built environments (e.g., building, distance to a ventilation system, and square footage). However, no statistically significant impact of the built environment was found. Conclusion: Despite a placebo effect of ambient scent environment and nonsignificant built environment on depression, this study has valuable implications of being a positive distraction during the healing process as developed by the Theory of Supportive design.

Interior Environments in Long-Term Care Units From the Theory of Supportive Design

2021 ◽  
pp. 193758672110628
Author(s):  
Suyeon Bae ◽  
Abimbola O. Asojo
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Perceived Control ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Healthcare Environments ◽  
Supportive Design ◽  
Interior Environments

Aim: This study was designed to examine how residents in long-term care (LTC) units perceive their living environment based on the theory of supportive design. Background: Healthcare environments may cause a significant level of stress mainly due to patients’ lack of familiarity with such environments and patients’ poor health conditions. According to the theory, the healthcare environments providing a sense of control, social support, and positive distraction can promote wellness. This study was designed to learn how LTC residents perceive their current living environments. Method: This study collected data through qualitative interviews. A total of 48 residents living in two LTC units were asked the three interior environments they liked and they wanted to improve. Only the residents who lived in the current space for 1 month and communicate without any cognitive disabilities were able to participate. Most residents were female and lived in a private room. Results: The participants’ responses indicated the importance of perceived control, social support, and positive distraction in the environment. The most frequently mentioned interior environment that the residents liked was “window and view,” followed by “pictures and photos” and “TV,” while they wanted “bigger room and space,” followed by “improved privacy” and “more options for food.” In addition to the three elements, the participants considered other elements as important for them which can benefit the participants. Conclusion: More studies must be carried out to expand the theory, so that it can be applied to future studies with inclusive perspectives.

Factors Influencing the Physical Activity of Older Adults in Long-Term Care: Administrators’ Perspectives

2009 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Benjamin ◽  
Nancy Edwards ◽  
Wenda Caswell
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Optimal Conditions ◽  
Term Care ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Activity Program ◽  
Physical Activity Programs

In 2006, the authors conducted a multisite qualitative study in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada to examine organizational and environmental factors that influence physical activity for long-term-care (LTC) residents. The article describes the results of interviews with 9 administrators from nonprofit and for-profit LTC facilities. A content analysis revealed that despite having positive views about the value of physical activity, the administrators encountered challenges related to funding, human resources, and the built (physical) environment. The intersection of staffing issues and challenges in the built environment created less than optimal conditions for physical activity programs. Findings suggest that until there are adequate human and financial resources, it will be difficult to implement evidence-informed physical activity programs for residents in LTC settings in Ontario. A review of provincial LTC standards for physical activity program requirements and the built environment is warranted.

Comparative Study of the Social Interactions of Two Differently Designed Long-Term Care Facilities for Individuals With Acquired Brain Injury

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 84-98
Author(s):  
David Brodsky ◽  
Mardelle McCuskey Shepley
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Behavioral Observation ◽  
Term Care ◽  
The Impact

Aim: This study focused on long-term care (LTC) settings for individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI). The goals were (1) to assess the impact of facility configuration on social interactions between residents and staff and (2) obtain a better understanding of staff and resident perceptions of the built environment. Background: A few studies have explored the relationship between the built environment and social interaction in LTC facilities, but there is little empirical data about ABI-specific LTC facilities. Methods: A literature review was conducted on the impact of the built environment on the LTC of brain injury survivors. Via a questionnaire, staff and residents in two settings, one with patient rooms off corridors and the other with patient rooms surrounding a common space, rated the effectiveness of the built environment in promoting social interaction. Behavioral observation was conducted on 18 residents for a duration of 4 hr per resident. Results: Via questionnaires, staff rated the corridor facility as more effective in promoting social interaction, but no significant differences were found between the assessments of the two resident populations. Contrary to staff questionnaire results, residents in the open configuration facility exhibited more social behaviors. Conclusions: Building configuration may impact social interaction between staff and residents in ABI-specific LTC facilities and potentially impact staff and resident quality of life. However, configuration cannot be viewed in a vacuum; residents’ physical and mental limitations, demographic information, and staff engagement must be also considered.

Perception of Spoken Communication by Elderly Chronically Ill Patients in an Institutional Setting

1981 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 405-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosemary Lubinski ◽  
Eleanor B. Morrison ◽  
Seymour Rigrodsky
Keyword(s):  
Long Term Care ◽  
Chronically Ill ◽  
Institutional Setting ◽  
Communicative Interaction ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Standardized Interview ◽  
Speech Pathologist ◽  
Chronically Ill Patients

The purpose of this research was to investigate the perception of elderly and chronically ill patients regarding the spoken communication that occurs in a long-term care institution. Twenty-four patients were given a focused semi-standardized interview to investigate their perception of how much they talked, their communication partners, where they talked, their topics, their desire and enjoyment in talking, factors affecting communication, and suggestions for improving the communication atmosphere in this setting. Results indicate that communication is limited in quantity and scope, though elderly patients desire communicative interaction. The results of the study are explained from two perspectives—how the patients themselves contribute to the limited communication and how institutional life restricts interaction. Implications for the speech pathologist are given.

scholarly journals Staff perspectives on the role of physical environment in long-term care facilities on dementia care in Canada and Sweden

Dementia ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 147130122110039
Author(s):  
Sook Young Lee ◽  
Lillian Hung ◽  
Habib Chaudhury ◽  
Agneta Morelli
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Institutional Setting ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Care Practices

Objectives This study aimed to explore staff perspectives of the physical environment in supporting their care practices for residents living with dementia in Canadian and Swedish long-term care facilities. Design An exploratory, descriptive, qualitative research design based on focus groups was used. Participants A total of 24 staff members who worked closely with the residents such as nurses or care aides participated in the focus group interviews from four facilities, two in Sweden and two in Canada. Measurements Focus group interview was held at each selected care facility once and a total of four times were conducted. Broad questions were asked about the effect of physical environment on care practice, job satisfaction, and interaction with residents. Data were analyzed by thematic analysis. Findings This study identified three environmental themes that have substantial effect on the social interaction and care practice: (i) design ambience enables and limits social and care interaction, (ii) space arrangements facilitate and hinder the effectiveness of care delivery, and (iii) sensory stimuli have direct impact on residents. The findings demonstrate that well-designed environment qualities such as homelike ambience, an open layout, and stimulating courtyard positively stimulate the emotion of staff as well as residents, which also leads to build trust and relationship and to increase job satisfaction. The study found that the appropriate level of sound or familiar music for residents with dementia is a positive stimulus. When the staff felt comfortable and supported by good care unit’s ambience, they can be motivated to care for their residents, leading to better care practices. The study also found that the closed floor plan in an institutional setting could increase staff fatigue by obstructing the view of residents’ behaviors and movement and by increasing walking loads. Conclusions This study highlights the complexities of how care was organized and influenced by the physical environment of the setting. The variations in the physical environmental characteristics and quality of care suggest the value of comparative research in identifying and exploring the possible causes and consequences. Future development in long-term care facilities requires a better understanding of staff experiences and staff involvement in the physical design of care settings.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document