Design of Institutions: Cognitive Functioning and Social Interactions of the Aged Resident

Older people experience sensory, cognitive, and social deficits that adversely affect their interaction with the environment. Design of institutions for the elderly resident should be prosthetic to ensure that environments optimally accommodate the functioning of the residents. The sensory and cogni...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied gerontology 1992-12, Vol.11 (4), p.475-488
Main Authors: Rule, Brendan Gail, Milke, Doris L., Dobbs, Allen R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aging - psychology
Biological and medical sciences
Canada
Cognition Disorders
Dementia
Facility Design and Construction
Geriatrics
Health administration
Health Facility Environment
Homes for the Aged
Humans
Medical sciences
Nursing Homes
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Sensory Deprivation
Social Behavior
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Summary:Older people experience sensory, cognitive, and social deficits that adversely affect their interaction with the environment. Design of institutions for the elderly resident should be prosthetic to ensure that environments optimally accommodate the functioning of the residents. The sensory and cognitive state of the residents should be considered in everyfacility. This review discusses how sensory and cognitive changes in aging affect orientation and wayfinding as well as how the physical aspects of the environment can accommodate these changes to reduce confusion and disorientation. Environmental features that promote social interaction are reviewed Because the environmental needs and unique characteristics of the cognitively impaired resident differs from that of the nonimpaired resident, special issues in the design of facilities for demented residents are reviewed Conclusions are offered with regard to research needs and applied problems.
ISSN:0733-4648
1552-4523
DOI:10.1177/073346489201100407