外文文献Research based nursing home design_ an approach for planning environments for the aging.docVIP

RESEARCH BASED NURSING HOME DESIGN: AN APPROACH FOR PLANNING ENVIRONMENTS FOR THE AGING’ Edward R. Ostrander, Ph.D. Department of Design and Environmental Analysis New York State College of Human Ecology ABSTRACT-Experts agree that there is limited empirical information available dealing with the impact of the physical and social environment on the behavior of institutionalized aged people. A procedure for pursuing this issue called environmental analysis is developing. Environmental analysis draws on a variety of social science research techniques to form an environmental assessment battery for understanding the relationship of environment and behavior. User-sensi’tive environmental design requires environmental analysis as a starting point. In contrast to inspection or evaluation, environmental analysis has a problem solving orientation rather than a judgmental one. The generalizations produced through environmental analysis can provide guidance for boards and administrators when planning a new facility, prior to major rennovation and as a basis for reviewing current operations. In review one becomes doubly aware of how scant the hard evidence is (on designing for aged with disabilities). It is hoped, however, that the many assertions and armchair arguments may lead some who have the chance to observe structures in use to check them out empirically. M. Powell Lawton (1971, pp. 39-40) It was the objective of this research “to observe structures in use” employing a variety of methods in order to gather empirical data that might increase our understanding of the impact of environmental settings and social mechanics on the behavior of institutionalized aged people. This paper presents our orientation regarding manenvironment relations, our frame of reference for studying this relationship and the research strategy employed in empirical investigation of six extended care facilities in New York State. ThiS paper w