Reinvigorating Life: An Architecture for Younger Onset Dementia

10.26686/wgtn.17013131.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Kelly Lambert

Keyword(s):

Local Community ◽

Design Method ◽

Aged Care ◽

High Anxiety ◽

Iterative Design ◽

Social Lives ◽

Care Workers ◽

Care Facilities ◽

Aged Care Facilities ◽

Socially Responsive

Most people are familiar with dementia, but few realise that it is not just an old persons’ disease. Younger onset dementia (YOD) is defined as the onset of dementia before age 65, some afflicted are as young as 30. People with YOD often have children at home, were recently employed, are physically fit and have active social lives. There are currently no facilities in New Zealand for people with YOD, resulting in their institutionalisation in aged-care facilities withdrawn from the local community and environment. The loss of physical and social stimulation often results in confusion, high anxiety and a faster progression of symptoms. Seeking to develop a specialised YOD facility, this thesis examines; existing literature across multiple disciplines, examples of successful YOD facilities internationally, and proposes both a participatory and iterative design method to establish how architecture can reinvigorate the lives of those affected by YOD and instigate a more socially responsive approach to design. This extends to the wider group of ‘lives’ including the care workers, the community and ultimately NZ. The need to provide architecture for memory, autonomy, and therapy was developed from the literature establishing key objectives for the design. In response to the lack of community interaction which occurs with existing dementia facilities, the thesis explores the possibilities inherent in Tschumi’s method of disprogramming. A garden centre is introduced to both contribute to and benefit from the YOD facility. The merging of YOD facility and garden centre into an infinity loop offers continual interaction, establishes a stimulating environment, and reaffirms those affected by YOD as relevant and active members of the community. The thesis engages with the discourse on projective practice to regain memory, autonomy, and activity for those affected by YOD, providing a reinvigorating architecture while simultaneously promoting a more socially responsive approach to design.

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Effects of multisensory and motor stimulation on the behavior of people with dementia

Dementia ◽

10.1177/1471301215592080 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 344-359 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Giovana Sposito ◽

Ana Barbosa ◽

Daniela Figueiredo ◽

Mônica Sanches Yassuda ◽

Alda Marques

Keyword(s):

Aged Care ◽

Direct Care ◽

Direct Care Workers ◽

Severe Dementia ◽

Video Recordings ◽

People With Dementia ◽

Care Workers ◽

Care Facilities ◽

Aged Care Facilities ◽

Quasi Experimental

A quasi-experimental study using a pre–posttest design was conducted in four aged care facilities to assess the effects of a person-centred care (PCC) multisensory stimulation (MSS) and motor stimulation (MS) program, implemented by direct care workers, on the behaviors of residents with dementia. Data were collected at baseline and after the intervention through video recordings of morning care routines. Forty-five residents with moderate and severe dementia participated in the study. A total of 266 morning care routines were recorded. The frequency and duration of a list of behaviors were analyzed. The frequency of engagement in task decreased significantly ( p = .002) however, its duration increased ( p = .039). The duration of gaze directed at direct care workers improved significantly ( p = .014) and the frequency of closed eyes decreased ( p = .046). There was a significant decrease in the frequency of the expression of sadness. These results support the implementation of PCC–MSS and MS programs as they may stimulate residents’ behaviors.

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Remodelling Aged Living to Reduce Stigma

10.26686/wgtn.14865036 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Georgia Reece

Keyword(s):

Social Isolation ◽

Care Facility ◽

The Elderly ◽

Aged Care ◽

Facility Design ◽

Community Based ◽

Aged Care Facility ◽

Iterative Design ◽

Care Facilities ◽

Aged Care Facilities

This thesis investigates whether community-based architectural strategies can be used in aged care facility design to reduce the stigma of social isolation. New Zealand has a growing population, with an increasing number of people needing assistance from aged care facilities. However, the elderly resist moving into aged care facilities because of fears of marginalisation, social isolation and associated stigma. Stigma creates outcomes of discrimination towards marginalised individuals, resulting in negative projections on these people and consequent social exclusion. There are two main aims of this research. The first aim was to understand the relationship between stigma and architecture and stigma and aged care facilities. To achieve this aim, stigma and various strategies for addressing that stigma in aged care facilities were defined based on contemporary literature on this subject and analyses of relevant built precedents. The second aim was to develop, a contemporary aged care facility that demonstrates potential strategies for reducing stigma. This aim was achieved by developing criteria that respond to iterative design exercises and contemporary research in the fields of aged care facilities, architecture and stigma. An iterative design process, continually tested these criteria against literature and precedent reviews, was carried out to arrive at a coherent design and more refined set of criteria. Research conclusions showed that community-based architectural strategies can be used to reduce the stigma of social isolation in aged care facility design. This resulted in the outcome of a community-based model and criteria that can be applied to the design of aged care facilities and will resultantly provide residents with a purposive role and inclusion within society.

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Remodelling Aged Living to Reduce Stigma

10.26686/wgtn.14865036.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Georgia Reece

Keyword(s):

Social Isolation ◽

Care Facility ◽

The Elderly ◽

Aged Care ◽

Facility Design ◽

Community Based ◽

Aged Care Facility ◽

Iterative Design ◽

Care Facilities ◽

Aged Care Facilities

This thesis investigates whether community-based architectural strategies can be used in aged care facility design to reduce the stigma of social isolation. New Zealand has a growing population, with an increasing number of people needing assistance from aged care facilities. However, the elderly resist moving into aged care facilities because of fears of marginalisation, social isolation and associated stigma. Stigma creates outcomes of discrimination towards marginalised individuals, resulting in negative projections on these people and consequent social exclusion. There are two main aims of this research. The first aim was to understand the relationship between stigma and architecture and stigma and aged care facilities. To achieve this aim, stigma and various strategies for addressing that stigma in aged care facilities were defined based on contemporary literature on this subject and analyses of relevant built precedents. The second aim was to develop, a contemporary aged care facility that demonstrates potential strategies for reducing stigma. This aim was achieved by developing criteria that respond to iterative design exercises and contemporary research in the fields of aged care facilities, architecture and stigma. An iterative design process, continually tested these criteria against literature and precedent reviews, was carried out to arrive at a coherent design and more refined set of criteria. Research conclusions showed that community-based architectural strategies can be used to reduce the stigma of social isolation in aged care facility design. This resulted in the outcome of a community-based model and criteria that can be applied to the design of aged care facilities and will resultantly provide residents with a purposive role and inclusion within society.

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The Public's Perceptions of a Cafe within the Social and Physical Context of a Residential Aged Care Facility

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice ◽

10.46743/1540-580x/2018.1815 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Alexa Andrew

Keyword(s):

Residential Care ◽

Local Community ◽

Care Facility ◽

Aged Care ◽

Qualitative Inquiry ◽

Residential Aged Care ◽

Research Project ◽

The Public ◽

Care Facilities ◽

Aged Care Facilities

Background: The publics’ perceptions of aged care residential facilities (ACRF’s) are generally derogatory in nature; with terms such as the ‘end of the road’ or ‘the last resort’ being used to describe them. The institutional design and nature of the traditional ‘nursing home’ has contributed to such a perception. However, more contemporary models of residential aged care facilities are encompassing design features which aim to enhance the physical and social environment and therefore the lives of the older people residing within them. Purpose: This research reports on the inclusion of a café in the foyer of an aged care residential which is open to the public. Members of the public who use the café were interviewed. Methods: This research project utilised qualitative inquiry of a descriptive nature. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews; seven participants were interviewed. Data analysis to establish themes utilised coding. Findings: The perceptions of members of the public who use the café is presented according to three major themes; place and purpose, people and relationships and community exposure and perceptions. The café is perceived, by the participants of this research project, as a place to go in the local community which was appreciated for its familiarity, pleasant surroundings and the quality of its service. Interactions between staff and residents were observed as caring and participants reflected that the staff were personally invested in their work. Visiting this café has challenged the notion that ACRF’s are closed off institutional places and the environment was described as open and inviting. The interaction between the community and the ACRF was discussed the benefits for the residents and for themselves were identified. Participants described a developing affiliation and connection between the facility and themselves and this prompted reflection about their own future residential needs. Conclusion: This café has opened a door between the ACRF and the local community. Members of the public who visit the café are able to observe, interact and make connections within the residential care environment. Perceptions about the nature of aged care facilities have been challenged and reflection about future residential care needs has occurred.

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The use of music in aged care facilities: A mixed-methods study

Journal of Health Psychology ◽

10.1177/1359105318758861 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 25 (10-11) ◽

pp. 1425-1438 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sandra Garrido ◽

Laura Dunne ◽

Janette Perz ◽

Esther Chang ◽

Catherine J Stevens

Keyword(s):

Mixed Methods ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Aged Care ◽

Staff Perceptions ◽

Care Workers ◽

Care Facilities ◽

Musical Engagement ◽

Aged Care Facilities ◽

The Impact ◽

Depth Interviews

Music is frequently used in aged care, being easily accessible and cost-effective. Research indicates that certain types of musical engagement hold greater benefits than others. However, it is not clear how effectively music is utilized in aged care facilities and what the barriers are to its further use. This study used a mixed-methods paradigm, surveying 46 aged care workers and conducting in-depth interviews with 5, to explore how music is used in aged care facilities in Australia, staff perceptions of the impact of music on residents, and the barriers to more effective implementation of music in aged care settings.

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Challenges associated with implementing an education program in a residential aged care setting

Australian Health Review ◽

10.1071/ah030107 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 107 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Helen Edwards ◽

Helen Chapman ◽

Elizabeth Forster ◽

Deanne Gaskill ◽

Paul Morrison ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Residential Care ◽

Education Program ◽

Best Practice ◽

Well Being ◽

Aged Care ◽

Residential Aged Care ◽

Care Workers ◽

Care Facilities ◽

Change In Practice ◽

Aged Care Facilities

The link between independence and well-being of older people in residential care is well established. This paper reportssome challenges encountered during implementation of an education program designed to assist nursing staff to adoptan independence-supporting model of residential care. The education program was part of a larger project aimed atdeveloping an example of best practice in supported care which promotes independence, well-being and communitylinkages. Implementation of the program created many interesting challenges which were overcome by strategies andfacilitating forces such as support from management and some staff, and the collaborative nature of the project. Positiveoutcomes of the education program included increased awareness of, and change in, practice; increased staff-residentinteraction; and increased encouragement for residents to be independent and to engage with the wider community.Moreover, a facilitator manual - Promoting Independence: A Learning Resource for Aged Care Workers wassubsequently developed so that the program can be implemented in aged care facilities elsewhere.

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