Theoretical / Conceptual Framework
The question proposed in this research would best be answered within a framework combining three theories Transition Theory states when individuals experience a significant transition, they may move through a number of stages ranging from anxiety to moving (Schumacher et al
Review of Literature
Factors Related to Hopelessness
Physical Design Solutions
1. Design for independent living 2. Using SmartCells flooring 3. Social interaction 1. Loss of independence 2. Fear of Falling 3 A sense of loneliness and social isolation 4 Lack of freedom and a loss of privacy 5 Sense of meaninglessness Summary Create private spaces Wider gathering area Hopelessness, comprised a problem among the addressed through design seeks to determine whether may contribute to reducing Nowadays, environmental psychological issues environments on factors autism spectrum disorders, different settings The author to determine whether issues in the human psyche between what goes on they see daily The author address a deep, prevalent section of our population 6. The other one 5. The purple one-person area 4. The light brown area for two individuals 3. The yellow area to fit a small group of people 1. The blue area to fit a large group Research Question 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. Abstract Integrating physical design solutions to reduce feelings of hopelessness among elderly residents of a long Introduction Hypothesis Designing a Gathering Area at Carillon House Site Analysis and Observation: Carillon Senior Life Care Community 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;
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
Rurup et al 2011)
Eman Nasrallah
Dr.
Jan Parker Spring, 2018 How might designers integrate physical design solutions to reduce feelings of hopelessness among elderly residents in a long-term care facility?
1999; Fisher, 2012) Meaning in Life Theory posits that some individuals in certain circumstances may become stuck state of hopelessness, unable to formulate a sense of purpose would allow them to accept their new environment and move (Frankl, 1986) As many elderly people struggle with a sense purposelessness and lack of meaning in old age, this research evaluate what design elements of a gathering space in a long 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 theory and the findings of this study to design the main gathering in a long-term care facility located in Lubbock, Texas The other 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 Improving the primary gathering space of a long-term care facility will reduce elderly residents’ feelings of hopelessness 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
The existing gathering area The proposed floor plan Variety of seating options Using SmartCells flooring The designer of this project decided first to expand the size of the living area in order to make it accommodate twenty elderly residents The size of the existing living area does not have sufficient space for twenty elderly people to gather A loss of privacy is considered one of the most important factors that lead elderly people to feel hopelessness The proposed design for the gathering area The furniture floor plan of the gathering area 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 design has six different seating options to meet residents’ needs and to make their daily life feel much brighter 2. The red area to fit a small group of people The planter box The nature photo on the ceiling and the flower vase on the middle table 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 Social interaction Considered a protective factor against suicidal ideation Psychological health Purpose of the Study
presence of nature
Conclusion The