A home to remember

Designing for people with dementia, a research on the life of elderly with dementia in order to design a living environment that provides them with quality of life and the care they need

Master thesis (2024)

Authors

J.K.M. Houweling Architecture and the Built Environment

Contributors

Birgit Jürgenhake Public Building and Housing Design (mentor)
A.B.J. van Deudekom Teachers of Practice / AE+T - Architecture and the Built Environment (graduation committee member)
L.M. Oorschot Teachers of Practice / A - Architecture and the Built Environment (mentor)
J. E. Goncalves Spatial Planning and Strategy - Architecture and the Built Environment (coach)
Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment, Architecture and the Built Environment
More Info
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Published Date

02-07-2024

Language

English

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Faculty

Architecture and the Built Environment

Abstract

This research is about designing for people with dementia. The Dutch population is aging and
double aging, causing an increase of people with dementia. This also causes a growing imbalance between people who need care and people who can provide care. Adding to this are the current living arrangements for people with dementia not sufficient. Therefore the central question in this research is: what living environment features can contribute to the quality of life of people with dementia, and provide them with the care they need.

The aim of this research is to define design guidelines that provide people with dementia with sufficient housing and a qualitative living environment through all stages of dementia. And to see if this can contribute to the efficiency in care, so that people with dementia can still get the care they need.

This research obtains information through literature study, case studies and a fieldwork in an elderly care home to provide an answer to the main question. This research defines four main topics that contribute to the quality of life of people with dementia: distinctiveness, familiarity, independence and biophilic. This research investigates these topics on different scales. First the scale of the dwelling, than the building, and at last the near surroundings. Finally, this research has a chapter from the perspective of the caregiver on the living environment for people with dementia. This results in design guidelines.

It can be concluded from this research that by bringing together the fields of dementia,
dementia care and architecture, a qualitative living environment can be created for people
with dementia with a high quality of life. A higher quality of life will contribute to the efficiency of care and a decrease in the demand for care.