The architectural features of nursing homes affect the residents' sense of home

Abstract

Following the increase in the elderly population in Europe and other parts of the world, taking proper care of elderly people has recently become a significant concern in Iran as well. The architecture and design of nursing homes can have a profound impact on the sense of home and well-being of the elderly residing in these facilities. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the relationship between influential architectural factors in the nursing homes of District 10 of Tehran and the sense of home among the elderly. The research method used in this study was descriptive correlational, and data collection was carried out in two stages: library and documentary research, as well as field survey. A purposive sample of 45 elderly residents of nursing homes in District 10 of Tehran were studied using two questionnaires on design and architectural factors of nursing homes and the motivation for living. The results showed that the correlation coefficients of the design and architectural factors and their components concerning lighting, public private and spaces, accessibility, and green spaces with the sense of home among the elderly were 0.521, 0.224, 0.621, 0.413, 0.281, and 0.403, respectively. Based on the findings of this research, it can be concluded that the design aspect has a direct impact on the formation of the sense of home in the elderly, and it is not possible to separate the physical and environmental aspects from the psychological dimension of the elderly.