Beyond Memory: A Person-Centered Approach to Dementia Design
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Abstract
At some point in each of our lives, a loved one or even ourselves will end up in some assisted living facility. Today, there is a negative connotation behind senior care facilities; they are portrayed by having drab interiors mixed with the faint sounds of squeaky wheelchairs that echo long, stale hallways. The population of older adults in the world is constantly growing, and a profound number of them have a form of memory loss like Alzheimer’s. How can we design a senior living center that makes those with Alzheimer’s feel safe and keep their minds active? How can we use simplistic wayfinding to find a home that effortlessly directs residents to give them a feeling of independence? How do indoor and outdoor spaces for socialization and activities keep minds and bodies moving? The elderly population is a vulnerable generation that does not get the attention they deserve, and most do not have the strength or voice to ask for the help they need.