Simulated physical ageing: A prioritized persona-based model for accessible interiors in senior housing environments

Abstract

Accessibility is a critical interior design consideration that increases performance level and allows older adults to be independent and physically active in their daily activities. This study used a case study to present a new method of combining ageing simulation with personas through importance-performance analysis (IPA) and supporting the basic activities of daily living (BADL). This study developed a prioritized persona-based (PP-B) model to create accessible interiors in senior housing environments for healthy ageing. This model was constructed based on an ontology framework. The data that was gathered through the self-assessment accessibility questionnaire by 60 older adults and it was depicted in the IPA matrix, which later translated into personas. These personas were simulated with an ageing suit by interior architecture students based on the BADL of accessible senior housing environments. This study was an initial attempt to deal with the complex nature of accessible interior design and its attributes for ageing studies, which are often considered as theoretical concepts and standards. The main innovation of this developed PP-B model was to synchronize interior design knowledge on accessibility attributes and users’ BADL performance along their accessibility importance rankings. Findings are beneficial for interior designers to make human-centred interior design decisions.

Thermal Personalities of Older People in South Australia: A Personas-Based Approach to Develop Thermal Comfort Guidelines

“…A project in Europe has developed 30 basic senior personas as a tool for software developers using data derived from the longitudinal survey SHARE (Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe) [ 55 ]. Taşoz and Afacan developed three personas of older people that were used to explore simulated ageing and the effect on basic activities of daily life [ 56 ].…”

Exploring the Importance and Performance Priorities of Older Adults With a User‐Centred Approach to Create a Fall‐Free Bathroom

“…The authors performed IPA calculations by constructing a two‐dimensional priority graph of importance and performance ratings. Martilla and James introduced IPA in 1977, and it is used today as a methodological tool in many studies to identify a set of user priorities to meet changing and conflicting needs and demands (Martilla and James 1977; Afacan 2019; Chen, Murphy, and Knecht 2016; DeSouza and Chard 2022; Insch 2010; Skok, Kophamel, and Richardson 2001; Taoz and Afacan 2020). Figure 1 illustrates the IPA graph and its four quadrants.…”

A global challenge for smart and healthy care homes for the elderly

“…24 Serrano-Jimenez et al 24 introduced an accessibility assessment framework for social housing occupied by elderly people, which can be summarized as follows: (1) indoor access to the common room, kitchen, dining-room, bathroom, laundry room, bedroom, stairs, lift, landing, hallway, entrance portal, interior courtyards, indoor corridor, terraces, balconies and roof; (2) outdoor access to gardens and other outdoor activity areas. In addition, Taşoz and Afacan 25 also addressed accessibility issues based on a social perspective, for instance, maintaining independent lives and communication with families, social activities and habitats. In order to clarify the link between smart technology and accessibility for the elderly population, the above factors need to be studied carefully.…”