Age in Place: Design for Dignity

Abstract

The senior population in the United States is rapidly growing. As a result, there is a growing need for more affordable housing options for seniors. Assisted living centers can be a wonderful community for seniors to live in when they can no longer maintain their homes or if they need additional care. These apartments provide excellent opportunities for socialization, exercise, and travel. However, a variety of factors including cost, availability of specific care facility, and a desire for independence can cause a senior to not receive the help that they need in a timely manner. For seniors with additional care needs, such as a form of dementia, the need for flexible care is paramount. Current care options often lead to seniors with dementia having to move to facilities that are not designed for residents with dementia and hire additional care aids. The lifetime cost of dementia is a huge burden to the patient and their family. Affordable senior housing is needed for seniors who cannot afford memory care and choose to live in assisted living facilities in order to improve a senior’s quality of life. The thesis will explore how we can use findings of environmental psychology to improve the design of assisted living facilities for seniors dealing with rapid memory loss from dementia.