Designing a Housing Complex for The Elderly with Dementia:
A Case Study of a Nursing Home in a Southern City in Taiwan
Presenter: Po-Tsung Chen
PhD; Department of Architecture at Chang Kung University
Co-Author: Ru-Yuh You
The Supervisor of Tainan City YMCA Care Center
Outline
1.The Origin of Research, Research Methods and Research Objectives
2. Literature Review, and Planning and Design Criteria
3. Synopsis of the Actual Case and Research Results
4. Conclusion
1. The Origin of Research, Research Methods and Research Objectives
(A) The Origin of Research
(i) Consideration of the Continuity of
Community Life of Elderly with Dementia
(ii) An Increasing Tendency Towards Assisted
Living Apartments for Elderly with Dementia
(iii) Practical Design Criteria
(B) Research Methods
(i) Literature Review is used to propose the
basic criteria for designing assisted living
apartments for elderly with dementia
(ii) Confirmation of Design Criteria through
participation in an actual case
(C) Research Objectives
(i) To confirm the criteria for designing
assisted living apartments for elderly with
dementia according to the social welfare
concept.
(ii) The Incorporation of Basic Design
Criteria in an Actual Case.
(A) Literature review of the social welfare
concept suggests
(i) Deinstitutionalization and Community
Integration
(ii) Care Units
(iii) Group Homes
(iv) Small-Scale Multi-Function Service
2. Literature Review, and Planning and Design Criteria
(B) The criteria for designing assisted
living apartments for elderly with dementia
according to the social welfare concept
(i) Provision of Community Interactive Space
(ii) Design of Assisted Living Care Units
(iii) Multilayered Spatial Design
(iv) Design of Small-Scale and Individualized Care
Units
(v) Consideration of Space for Daycare
(vi) Create a Healthy Living Environment
3.Synopsis of the Actual Case and Results
(A) Synopsis of Actual Case: LIN-AN NURSING HOME
Source: Tainan YMCA Youth Magazine, No. 478
(i) Investigation and Integration of Community Resources
Park
Park
Market
Hospital
Hospital
Market
ParkChurch
Church
LIN-AN NURSING
HOME
First Floor Plan
(ii) Ground Floor Spatial Design
Space for Community Interaction
Daycare Center
Community Center
Outdoor Hiking TrailCourtyard
Outdoor Yard
Semi-Outdoor Space 8m wide
alley
30m wide Min Chuen Road Sectio
n 3
Central Kitchen
Office Area
(iii) Standard Design of Care Unit for Second and Third Floors
The Horizontal Plane of Second and Third Floors
※A Total of 5 Care Units for Elderly with Dementia. Each Care Unit has 8 to 13 beds.
Care Unit
Care Unit
Individualized Lodging Space
Caring Space
Semi-Public Space
Individualized Lodging Space
Living Space
Single Bedroom
Dining Space
Open Kitchen
Balcony GardenPublic
Interaction Space
Nursing Space
Exercise Path
Balcony Garden
(iv) Standard Design of Care Unit for Second and Third Floors
Single Bedroom
The Horizontal Plane of Second and Third Floors※A Total of 5 Care Units for Elderly with Dementia. Each Care Unit has 8 to 13 beds.
Provision of Community Interaction Space for Elderly with Dementia
(V) Photographs
YMCA stresses the importance of the Concept of Healthy
Management , which links with the outdoor activity of elderly with
dementia.Provision of Diverse Activities in Semi-Outdoor Space
Integration of Elderly Daycare Center with Green Space
(V) Photographs
Building a Safe Alameda for Elderly with Dementia
Designing a Safe and Versatile Courtyard for Elderly with Dementia
Creating a Heterogeneous Space
(V) Photographs
Incorporate Vivid and
Recognizable Color Palette into Interior Design
Create a Mutually Supportive Environment for Elderly with Dementia
Emphasis on Natural Lighting and Illumination
(V) Photographs
Emphasis on Quality Service in
a Home-Like Atmosphere
Emphasis on Residential Home Care and Well-Being of Elderly
with Dementia
Preparation of Meals in Care Units
(V) Photographs
(viii) Design Results
1. A Total of 5 Care Units. Each Care Unit has 8 to 10
Bedrooms, 68 Beds in total. Provision of Single Rooms,
and Double Rooms for Married Couples
2. There are 19 current residents, and 13 of them have
dementia. 15 current patrons receive daycare services,
and 10 of them have dementia.
3. Provision of Healthy Lifestyles During the Different
Phases of Dementia
4. From Public to Private Design: Lobby, Entrance Hall, Living Space, and Individual Bedrooms on Each Floor
5. It enables residents in two care units become closer
neighbors, strengthens social interaction, and aids elderly with dementia to thrive in familiar environments
(ix) Research Results(1) Provision of Community Interaction Space (a) continued to engage in outdoor activities in their community in the company of care-staff. (b) continuation of outdoor activities and social interaction with friends. (c) Community organizations organize activities in outdoor space in order to help elderly residents to stay in touch
with the outside world.
(2) Design of Assisted Living Care Unit (a) With the provision of single rooms in each care unit,
elderly residents are encouraged to create a home-like atmosphere, improving the quality of life.
(b) Elderly residents are able to maintain intimate
relationships with their own families.
(c) Developed stability and a sense of community.
(d) Elderly residents build meaningful relationships with
other residents
(e) Nursing care unit has turned into an interior living space
for elderly residents to engage in leisure activities at night.
(3) Multilayered Spatial Design (a) Allows residents to adapt quickly (3-7 days).
(b) Allows elderly residents to maintain stability.
(4) Design of Small-Scale and Individualized Care
Units (a) Elderly residents become familiar easily with the
design and services of the home.
(b) However, elderly with dementia can become lost on
their own again if they return to their own homes.
(5) Consideration of Daycare Space (a) The provision of daycare services provides opportunities for social interaction among the elderly residents during the day. (b) The provision of daycare services gives future elderly residents an opportunity to learn to adapt to the new environment. (c) Daycare services allows elderly residents to adjust to a
new pace of life.
(6) A Proposed Concept of a Healthy Living
Environment
(a) Allows elderly residents to engage in outdoor leisure activities daily.
(b) Provides elderly residents with semi-outdoor space.
(c) Provides elderly residents with suitable outdoor or semi-outdoor activities.
(d) Limits the influence of weather on elderly residents’ willingness to participate in outdoor activities
4.Conclusion
(A)The proposed criteria for the Social Welfare Concept design is effective.
(i) Provision of Community Interactive Space
(ii) Design of Assisted Living Care Units
(iii) Multilayered Spatial Design
(iv) Design of Small-Scale and Individualized Care Units
(v) Consideration of Space for Daycare
(vi) Create a Healthy Living Environment
(B) The Social Welfare Concept provides the Continuity of Care for Elderly with Dementia
(C) The Social Welfare Concept Incorporates Individualized care into the Living Environment of Elderly with Dementia