Eman Nasrallah Dr. Jan Parker Spring, 2018
Integrating physical design solutions to reduce feelings of hopelessness among elderly residents of a long-term facility Designing a Gathering Area at Carillon House
Introduction
Create private spaces
Abstract
Research Question
Wider gathering area
As elderly individuals move into an end of life phase, many of them begin to experience a sense of hopelessness (Wijngaarden, Leget, & Goossensen, 2015; Rurup et al., 2011; Heisel, Neufeld, & Flett, 2016). While any transition may be accompanied by temporary hopelessness, the experience of elderly people is unique, because they sense their own nearness to death and do not clearly see how they can contribute to their world meaningfully (Wijngaarden, Leget, & Goossensen, 2015; Rurup et al., 2011; Heisel, Neufeld, & Flett, 2016). These experiences of elderly individuals are of growing concern, as the elderly population is growing across the world (Rurup et al., 2011; Sachs-Ericsson, Van Orden, & Zarit, 2016). The experiences of elderly individuals that lead to hopelessness is comprised of multiple elements, which may relate to their physical environment (Wijngaarden, Leget, & Goossensen, 2015; Rurup et al., 2011). Therefore, this research seeks to investigate whether improving physical design elements may contribute to a reduction of hopelessness among elderly residents in a long-term care facility.
How might designers integrate physical design solutions to reduce feelings of hopelessness among elderly residents in a long-term care facility?
The designer of this project decided first to expand the size of the living area in order to make it accommodate twenty elderly residents and their caregivers at the same time.
Purpose of the Study This research seeks to investigate whether improving physical design elements may contribute to a reduction of hopelessness among elderly residents of a long-term care facility.
Theoretical / Conceptual Framework The question proposed in this research would best be answered within a framework combining three theories. Transition Theory states that when individuals experience a significant transition, they may move through a number of stages ranging from anxiety to moving on (Schumacher et al., 1999; Fisher, 2012). Meaning in Life Theory posits that some individuals in certain circumstances may become stuck in a state of hopelessness, unable to formulate a sense of purpose that would allow them to accept their new environment and move on (Frankl, 1986). As many elderly people struggle with a sense of purposelessness and lack of meaning in old age, this research will evaluate what design elements of a gathering space in a long-term care facility may decrease a sense of hopelessness among elderly residents, based on Behavior-Setting Theory (Barker, 1990; Kopec, 1995). Behavior-Setting Theory is the only design theory, and therefore the main theory, implemented in this study. The author plans to use this theory and the findings of this study to design the main gathering area in a long-term care facility located in Lubbock, Texas. The other two theories are used to explicate the phenomena clearly. Each of these theories contribute an essential component to addressing hopelessness among the elderly through design elements.
A loss of privacy is considered one of the most important factors that lead elderly people to feel hopelessness.
The size of the existing living area does not have sufficient space for twenty elderly people to gather
Variety of seating options The new design is characterized by different furnishing styles and combinations of attractive colors for each seating option, while offering some privacy areas within the place. The furniture pieces and divider panels are flexible and easily rearranged.
The proposed floor plan
The proposed design for the gathering area
Social interaction • Considered a protective factor against suicidal ideation • Psychological health
1. The blue area to fit a large group
The furniture floor plan of the gathering area
The presence of nature
The proposed design has six different seating options to meet residents’ needs and to make their daily life feel much brighter
The existing living area
The planter box
The nature photo on the ceiling and the flower vase on the middle table
Site Analysis and Observation: Carillon Senior Life Care Community
2. The red area to fit a small group of people 4. The light brown area for two individuals
The existing gathering area
Review of Literature Summary 5. The purple one-person area
3. The yellow area to fit a small group of people
Using SmartCells flooring Using SmartCells flooring is suggested to reduce injuries in case of a fall, which would help the elderly manage their fear of falling and its consequences. Thus, this design uses the SmartCells flooring.
The elderly are making up a larger portion of the worldwide population, and in some areas the majority of a population. This group of people face some unique physical and psychological challenges. As they grow older, many people experience a loss of control and independence. This often leads to a loss of passion in life and a sense that nothing matters because aging individuals feel that they do not matter anymore and there is no need for them. In other words, they feel that they are not contributing to society. Therefore, they feel that they have completed their life cycle and are ready to die. For many elderly persons, this problem is not because they are suffering from a serious illness or have mental problems or are particularly weak. In fact, it is the opposite of that. This sense of not contributing comes from independent individuals who do not want to lose their freedom for any reason. It is difficult for them to depend on others, and they do not like the thought of leaving significant decisions about their health and care to their family members or doctors. In order to prevent this situation, some elderly people make the decision to end their lives. All of these factors are connected to a general sense of hopelessness, which can lead to a greater instance of disease and other health problems. Behavior-setting theory posits that the environment impacts the behaviors and experiences of those in the environment; therefore, hopelessness and the accompanying loss of quality of life are a social concern that must be addressed via design solutions. The author described the primary components of hopelessness as: (1) a loss of independence, (2) a sense of loneliness and social isolation, (3) a lack of freedom and loss of privacy, and (4) a sense of meaninglessness. Previous research has connected particular design features to components of hopelessness, providing evidence that the physical environment of a longterm care facility may impact the hopelessness experienced by elderly residents. This research aims to investigate how a design element can impact hopelessness among the elderly.
Hypothesis
Factors Related to Hopelessness
Improving the primary gathering space of a long-term care facility will reduce elderly residents’ feelings of hopelessness.
Physical Design Solutions
6. The other one-person area
Conclusion
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Design for independent living Using SmartCells flooring Social interaction Improved Privacy Connectedness to Nature
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Loss of independence Fear of Falling A sense of loneliness and social isolation Lack of freedom and a loss of privacy Sense of meaninglessness
References Hopelessness, comprised of several specific factors, is a problem among the elderly. Those factors may be addressed through design solutions. This research seeks to determine whether combining those solutions may contribute to reducing hopelessness overall. Nowadays, environmental designers have studied many psychological issues and the impact of physical environments on factors such as depression, stress, autism spectrum disorders, and bipolar disorder in different settings. The author of the current study seeks to determine whether designers can address deeper issues in the human psyche and try to find relationships between what goes on inside people’s minds and what they see daily. The author of the current paper sought to address a deep, prevalent problem affecting a large section of our population who are suffering.