Wayfinding in a Nursing Home for Advanced Dementia of the Alzheimer’s Type

Abstract

The aim of the study was to generate design criteria in order to encourage and facilitate wayfinding for advanced Alzheimer’s patients. Two sources of data were used: interviews with the staff of a typical urban nursing home, and a wayfinding experience with its residents. The results show that even patients with severe cognitive deterioration are able to reach certain destinations. Wayfinding decisions have to be based on environmental information that is readily accessible, so that the patient can proceed from decision point to decision point. Monotony of architectural composition and the lack of reference points render wayfinding difficult. The elevators are seen to be a major anxiety-causing barrier. Visual access to the main destinations increases their use and facilitates wayfinding. Signage has an important function, creating redundancy in wayfinding communication and compensating for the loss of memory and spatial understanding. Floor patterns and dark lines or surfaces can disorient the patients and cause anxiety.

Long-term care for people with dementia: environmental design guidelines

“…It resulted in a very simple, corridor-free environment. The evidence for the incorporation of good visual access on the unit-level scale is not strong (Elmstahl et al, 1997;Passini et al, 2000) but the dramatic effect of making an important amenity -the toilet -easily seen provides good supporting evidence for the concept (Namazi and Johnson, 1991a). …”

A Study on Environment-related Factors that Promote Wayfinding for People with Dementia - Focused on the Context of Long-term Care Facilities for People with Dementia

“…1) Building Structure (Passini, et al, 2000: 699-701, Marquardt & Schmieg, 2009: 33, Marquardt, 2011. 그룹 홈(group home)에서 필요한 공간을 기능에 따라 인지가 가능한 구획(zones)으로 나누었을 때 치매거주자의 길 찾기에 도움을 준다고 한다 (Netten, 1989: 150-152 (Passini et al, 1998: 145;2000: 703).…”

“…그룹 홈(group home)에서 필요한 공간을 기능에 따라 인지가 가능한 구획(zones)으로 나누었을 때 치매거주자의 길 찾기에 도움을 준다고 한다 (Netten, 1989: 150-152 (Passini et al, 1998: 145;2000: 703). 2) Environmental Design (Marquardt & Schmieg, 2009, Marquardt, 2011, Netten, 1989, Passini et al, 19982000). 거기에 더하여, 한 연구 (Zeisel, 2005: 273- …”

Creating Design Guidelines for a Navigational Aid for Mild Demented Pedestrians

“…Passini et. al [14] studied design criteria for indoor environments to let patients with Alzheimer's disease find their way better. Their study shows that performance of reaching a predefined destination depends on the structure of the building and the number of reference points.…”