CHAPTER 18 - TOWARDS CARING THROUGH DESIGN

Abstract

This chapter discusses the relationship between residential care and architectural designs. A two-week period of participant observation—during which the research personnel worked as care attendants—was spent in eight homes. On the basis of this experience, a number of “themes” have been identified in residential care that appears pertinent to design decision making. For convenience, these themes are examined by referring primarily to the conditions that were encountered in one of the homes. To afford a better quality of life for residents of old people's homes, consideration must be given to several issues that have recurring implications for individuals, physical settings, and particular circumstances. Certain aspects of choice in the lives of residents are thwarted by their physical condition—few may be capable of going jogging. The use of wheelchairs suggests that residents may become dependent on staff as a consequence of a specific aspect of design—for instance, in the design of circulation spaces, of corridors.