Offering architects insights into experiences of living with dementia: A case study on orientation in space, time, and identity

Abstract

Due to memory loss, people with dementia are increasingly disorientated in space, time, and identity, which causes profound experiences of insecurity, anxiety, and homesickness. In the case study presented in this article, we explored how architecture can support people in coping with this challenge. We took a novel approach to offer architects insights into experiences of living with dementia. Starting from a critical realist and constructionist approach, we combined ethnographic techniques with an architectural analysis. This case study offers insights into the experiences and activities of a woman living with dementia within the architectural context of her home. We describe how the physical and social environment provided her guidance through sequences of day-to-day activities. This study highlights how architecture can support people with dementia in orientating by accommodating places for (1) everyday activities and (2) privacy and togetherness.

How Enclosure and Spatial Organization Affect Residents’ Use and Experience of a Dementia Special Care Unit: A Case Study

“…Other studies suggest that camouflaging exiting doors may reduce exiting behavior and door testing (Marquardt et al, 2014). Based on the findings of a study by Van Steenwinkel (2015) and the present study, however, using optical stickers or posters to distract residents' attention from the unit's possible exits seems to be ineffective and could moreover be questioned on ethical grounds. Similarly, one could argue that confining residents with dementia to a closed unit for their own safety is questionable.…”

“…One of the architects' objectives was to offer what they call "structure in time, space, and social interaction" through the building's spatial organization, supportive color codes, and material choices. Spatial organization refers to how spatial entities are organized and which places and spatial relationships this organization creates (Van Steenwinkel, 2015, based on Unwin, 2009). This has implications for how the circulation space and other spaces in a building are arranged and interrelate.…”

The Impact of the Physical Home Environment for Family Carers of People with Dementia: A Qualitative Study

“…However, this can only be achievable in practice for caring relatives, who still share the same bedroom. Previous research indicated that space for 'escape' and privacy are preferable in living well with dementia (Gitlin, 2007; van Hoof & Kort, 2009;Van Steenwinkel, Van Audenhove, & Heylighen, 2017).…”

Designing “little worlds” in Walnut Park: How architects adopted an ethnographic case study on living with dementia

“…Architects typically need to turn to sources other than their own experience (or direct user involvement) to inform their design for people with dementia, but this is where they encounter difficulties (Van Steenwinkel, Van Audenhove and Heylighen 2012). Traditional research outcomes are difficult to apply, due to, e.g., the lack of spatial aspects in the content and the designer-unfriendly format (Van Steenwinkel 2015).…”