Studying the Cognitive Specifications of Perceiving Environment in Older Adults and Their Behavior Using Cognitive Maps, Case Study: Kahrizak Nursing House

Abstract

Cognitive aspects in different fields of older adults’ perception of architecture were discussed to determine cognitive specifications of the older adults living in Kahrizak Nursing Home (Tehran) using cognitive maps. The association between older adults’ cognitive maps and spatial structure of the nursing home was also examined. In terms of nature, this study is an applied-theoretical work. The study was carried out in two phases namely, qualitative and quantitative; and as to the objective, the study was an applied work. Data gathering was done through a library-document method and the status quo of the nursing house was examined through field observations. In addition, interviews were conducted for data gathering. The space syntax approach was used for analyzing the spatial structure of the nursing home. Simulations were carried out in Depth Map and as the results indicated the highest integration was equal to 7.3 and the mean value was equal to 3.5. The maximum and mean values of connectivity were 20 and 8.6 respectively; these figures for choice were 67 and 11.06 respectively. Maximum and mean values of total depth were 257 and 138.7 respectively. The results indicated a significant relationship between the cognitive maps of the older adults and the analyses based on the space syntax method. This can be attributed to the physical structure of architecture in Kahrizak Nursing Home.