تاثیر نوسازی دو فضای جمعی در خانه مراقبت بر روی ساکنان رفاه ذهنی

This study investigates the impact of a refurbishment of two communal spaces —lobby and recreation room— of a care home in the Netherlands on residents’ subjective well-being. The refurbishments aimed to improve the aesthetic appearance of both spaces and to offer residents more possibilities for controlled interaction. Data were collected by means of pre- and post-intervention interviews among all residents that were able to respond (N = 39), and by means of observations. Results showed that most respondents evaluated the refurbishment of both spaces positively on residential quality, aesthetic quality, and possibility for controlled interaction. In addition, residents’ subjective well-being increased significantly. Subjective well-being appeared to be quite strongly related to the 3 evaluative aspects. Results suggest that the physical changes in care homes can help improve residents’ subjective well-being.

We are getting older. Life expectancies have increased enormously during the last century, especially in Western Europe and the USA where this changed from 48 years in 1900 to 77 years at the end of the century (Fogel, 2004). A substantial proportion of the population older than 75 years has no severe medical or psychiatric disability but needs more care than can be provided at private homes. For this reason, many elderly people are housed in a care home. In care homes, quality of daily care, food, paramedical and medical assistance are all factors that contribute to well-being. On these topics there is a substantial literature to which one can turn for guidance. What is relatively scarce however is knowledge on the effects of these care homes’ interior design characteristics on residents’ well-being. Do interior design characteristics contribute to the well-being of its residents? Which characteristics especially, and from which residential spaces? This paper reports a study on the effects of changes in the interior design of two communal spaces — the lobby and the recreational area— of a care home in The Netherlands on residents’ subjective well-being. We consider subjective well-being to refer to how people evaluate their lives. It is grounded in variables such as life satisfaction and marital satisfaction, physical health, lack of depression and anxiety, and positive moods and emotions (Diener, Sapyta, & Suh, 1998). The changes that were implemented in the care home and their hypothesized effects on subjective well-being were suggested by the literature reviewed below.