Environmental design solutions for disabled and elderly populations

Environmental Design

Environmental & Interior Design_ Environment for Disabled and elderly population

Environmental design: Summary

Preface

At times, it has been difficult to reconcile environmental design with aesthetics and the practical needs of populations. Environmental design strives to serve the needs of the persons who inhabit spaces rather than focus on the aesthetics of architecture alone. Environmental psychology is the study of how inhabitants relate to the area they inhabit and how design can have an effect on their behaviors (Kopec 2006: xii)

Issues of mobility

Not all persons with mobility issues are wheelchair-bound. Persons who use walkers and canes may need modified stairs that are easy to climb; wheelchair ramps may be too steep for people who need walkers. The distance required by a person in a wheelchair to operate in a kitchen is different from a person who uses other means of assistance (Kopec 2006: 172). For persons with prosthetic hands, doors should open easily (Kopec 2006: 173). Spaces should also be easy to clean for the impaired.

Issues of vision and hearing

Many visually-impaired persons use guide dogs, so the design of spaces must be crafted to accommodate their needs. Elderly persons may have impaired depth perception, which requires brighter lighting to enable them to more easily navigate unfamiliar spaces (Kopec 2006: 174). Hearing-impaired persons will appreciate a reduction of 'white noise' that further impairs their ability to listen (Kopec 2006: 174).

Geriatric populations

Even persons over the age of 80 can lead vibrant and active lives, and the environment must be orchestrated to allow them to accomplish daily tasks. Compensating, asking for help from others, restricting some activities and optimizing (planning the most effective way to perform the activity) are all ways for the elderly to cope with the challenges of aging (Kopec 2006: 175). Design improvements can better enable elderly persons to maintain an active lifestyle by compensating for age-related challenges, such as deterioration of balance (Kopec 2006: 176). Something as simple as an L-shaped kitchen that allows for greater maneuverability (given that elderly persons often cannot reach or use all of the burners) can make a great difference in the resident's life (Kopec 2006: 177)

Dementia of Alzheimer's Type

Alzheimer's, a form of cognitive decline has become an increasingly common problem amongst the population of America's elderly. To extend the time which the patient may remain with his or her family outside of nursing home care, designers can modify the environment to reduce the stressors of the illness, such as providing visual cues to prevent subjects from walking into doors or positioning the bathroom near the bedroom to reduce incontinence (Kopec 2006: 179). Remaining in a familiar place as long as possible can be highly beneficial for the patient.

Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is a neurological disease caused by a deficit of dopamine that is most common in (but not exclusive to) the elderly which causes rigidity, tremors, and freezing in place. One important accommodation for sufferers is including 'grab rails' in frequent places, as the tremors typically appear when physical motion ceases and muscles are relaxed (Kopec 2006: 181).

Summary review

Changes in the physical environment can have a profound positive influence upon the ability of elderly and disabled populations to be functional. Designers must anticipate the specific needs of the populations which will be using the spaces they create to enhance independence and functionality.

Reference

Kopec, Dan. (2006). Environmental design. New York: Fairchild.