Ergonomics

Accommodating for ergonomics for elderly with Dementia is an essential element to consider as it impacts the user’s well-being and comfort level within the space. With considering ergonomics for Dementia elderly, the space lends itself as a Dementia compliant space that considers behavioral and psychological factors that Dementia elderly face that often go unaccommodated for. As Dementia elderly are heavily impacted by the environment they reside in, the physical and cognitive ergonomics focuses on the physical and mental stresses that Dementia elderly face. 56

During the course of the elderly’s disease, they are more likely to develop behavioral and psychological complications. Some of these complications could be signs of disturbed behavior such as agitation, mood swings, irritability, etc. 57 As the semi-residential Dementia center proposes methods that are not entirely clinically dependent, ergonomics carries a big importance in helping the elderly deal with non-clinical needs. The importance of ergonomics is to monitor and positively impact behaviors that are resulted with the progression of Dementia. These behaviors include restlessness, wandering, combativeness, and other behavioral challenges. As Dementia diagnosed elderly have deficiencies in cognitive and physical abilities, ergonomics functions as a filler to satisfy their needs for these deficiencies.

Cognitive ergonomics is used to provide memorabilia for the elderly. This is provided through space planning. A method that will be implemented within the space is the “Memory Trail.” (fig. 59) The memory trail focuses on sensory stimulus, the stimulation theory, as well as the legible spaces, through the elements of legibility theory. The memory trail follows the sequence of sensory stimulus to a threshold space that evokes movement. All this activity would be revolved around a focused space that implements a landmark feature from Lynch’s Legibility theory. Through following this strategy, cognitive activity is triggered. Through cognitive activity, behavioral and psychological outbursts are controlled. 58

Figure 59- Memory Trail Figure 60- Space planning

Sensory stimulation helps reduce unnecessary cognitive activity and triggers spatial understanding and connection. Through the use of visual sensory elements in the space, the space lends itself as a relaxing stimulated space. This will be implemented through the lighting throughout the space. Light manipulation will be used to control interaction and activity level. Artificial light will be bright during the daytime. The light, then, gets gradually dimmer as nighttime approaches. Through providing manipulation through the light sensory factor, elderly’s activity levels become more regulated and stabilized. Through the use of light using the Memory Trail the user associates light by memory with the appropriate physical activity. Cognitive ergonomics depends on physical ergonomics to provide a positive result for the elderly.

Threshold spaces provide a pathway to memorabilia as it allows for cognitive activity. Controlling cognitive activity is possible through the use of a physical ergonomic factor, such as color. Through the use of color, cognitive activity is appropriately controlled for the elderly, as well as physical legibility throughout transition spaces. In transition spaces, the elderly are in need of a visual cue for enhanced perception. This can be possible through the use of a contrast in saturated colors to provide a visual cue for a differentiation in certain elements (fig. 61). This defines spaces for the elderly which enhances wayfinding through memory. 60 The focus point will be the exterior element in the project, which is the courtyard. The Memory Trail focuses on an exterior feature that is often considered the landmark feature of the space. Within the courtyard, the maximization of views and light encourages the elderly to socialize and helps reduction of agitation. Exposure to natural elements within this feature space provokes a memory stimulus as it triggers positive cognitive memory for the elderly (fig. 62). 61

Through understanding how ergonomics impacts the elderly’s activity, the space effectively functions as a positive effect on the users. Behavioral and psychological outburst are controlled when following the Memory Trail as it provides a structured cognitive process that helps control the elderly’s outbursts.

Figure 61- Contrast in colors

Figure 62- Central courtyard

WARM NEUTRAL COOL

Figure 63- Light manipulation