The elderly wayfinding performance in an informative healthcare design indoors

Abstract

This study examines the influence of architectural design elements and age on the wayfinding performance (WP) of older adults in healthcare circulation patterns. The study was conducted at Milad Hospital in Tehran, Iran, and included the Emergency, Outpatient, Clinics, and Inpatient wards. The study used a quantitative research method to investigate and virtual reality (VR) to simulate. Wayfinders were shown the circulation patterns of five types of healthcare circulations in virtual reality (VR) using two design approaches: high indicative features (the most guiding design aids) and a neutral environment (the fewest design aids). The study revealed that architectural design elements and age influence users' WP. Initially, it is worth noting that the mental-perceptual conditions of users in both groups were almost indistinguishable. However, the records of the elderly group (from 66 to 82 years) indicated a lower frequency of environmental design aid scenes (base design), which enabled them to more effectively identify and focus on locating the destination points. Nevertheless, the control group, consisting of younger individuals (from 18 to 39 years), exhibited superior and more efficient performance than their senior counterparts. When the users of both groups perceived the route to be challenging to traverse, their performance dropped, and they felt disoriented and anxious. Also, the Corridor circulation pattern exhibited a relatively low level of navigational complexity. Overall, the results suggest that architects should prioritize the design of circulation routes that are easily recognizable and highlight prominent features while considering the cognitive and perceptual needs of the elderly population.