Focusing on the patient
Understanding the needs of different age groups
Focusing on the patient
Understanding the needs of different age groups
Healing Architecture
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Age-sensitive architecture in geriatrics plays an essential role in designing environments that optimally meet the specific needs of older people. In a society that is increasingly characterized by an aging population, the creation of geriatric institutions that meet the physical and cognitive challenges of older people is becoming increasingly important. Architecture plays a key role in designing an environment that is not only functional but also sustainably promotes the quality of life and independence of older people. This approach requires a deep understanding of age-related changes to create spaces that ensure safety, comfort, and full accessibility. An in-depth analysis of the principles and challenges of age-sensitive architecture in geriatrics is presented below.
Older people have special needs and treatment requirements for hospitals. In old age, there are increasing restrictions on mobility, strength or dexterity. The senses — especially vision or hearing — can also be severely impaired. The same applies to memory, coordination, or information processing.
Clinics and hospitals must take account of the fact that the world is different for older people than for younger patients. Environments can visually blur and look strange. External stimuli can be overwhelming because they are no longer processed correctly. When people can no longer cope with their environment, this can lead to anxiety, helplessness or even aggression and withdrawal from social life. An adapted architecture in geriatric areas can respond to the special requirements in clinics, hospitals and retirement homes.
studies have confirmed that we first scan the majority of our environment with our eyes before the other senses enrich our perceptual experience with information. In old age, however, vision can be severely impaired due to various medical conditions.
Symptoms of eye disorders may result in reduced visual acuity, sensitivity to light, reduced color and contrast vision, visual field limitations and loss of central vision. In general, the environment appears significantly darker and more colorless, as less light enters through the smaller pupils. This limits the perception of short-wave light (blue, green, purple). Long-wave light (yellow, orange, red) is better perceived.
Hearing often impairs another central sensory perception of older people. Possible symptoms here may include a vulnerability to background noise or a serious disturbance in speech comprehension. This not only makes communication difficult, but also leads to uncertainty, anxiety, ostracism, isolation or depression, as you can no longer participate in your usual life.
Guide patients Color and contrast design helps patients find their way around the hospital environment
The targeted use of colors and contrasts can shape the patients' world, give them orientation and point out barriers where they are necessary. By making the hospital environment much more contrasting than the previous white, standard rooms, many of the geriatric challenges can be counteracted. Floors should be designed to be darker than the walls or ceilings, in turn, significantly lighter than the walls. Routing can be emphasized with stronger lighting or with colors from the long-wave color spectrum. In bathrooms, the use of contrasts between walls, sinks, toilets or cisterns ensures better visibility. If the handrails next to the toilets or shower chair are highlighted in color, falls can be prevented.
Good room acoustics also guide patients through the ward. Common areas are seen from afar, as the voices of other patients and visitors are heard. The patient knows that this is a busy place, that he can find company here and, if necessary, information and help. In the individual rooms themselves, the well-thought-out room acoustics enable good exchange and reduce noise.
In addition, simple and clear symbols help guide patients through the clinic. This is placed at patients' eye level in a clearly visible and understandable way and, thanks to its eye-catching color scheme, catches the eye.
One thing is certain: Age-sensitive architecture in geriatrics must be geared to the specific physical and psychological needs of older people. The following six guidelines serve as a basis for design:
An age-sensitive architecture in geriatrics
Dealing with and caring for people with dementia is particularly challenging for professionals, as patients are not only physically handicapped, but also forget that they are ill in the first place. They do not understand why they are in a strange environment and therefore want to leave it. Die Dementia-sensitive architecture offers additional solutions in addition to geriatric hospital planning.
The state of NRW has also recognized the growing need for age-sensitive planning in clinics and provided funding of around €100 million in 2022 for Promoting geriatric medicine available. As interior designers and architects with a focus on healthcare, we are at your side as experts. We create the best environment for your employees and patients, in which well-being and satisfaction increase. From submitting applications to planning and implementing modern geriatrics that are optimally tailored to daily requirements.
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