Older P eople’s Perspective

This part of the study examines what it is about a place that older people experience as home. As people grow older they may develop physical impairments, e.g. mobility, sensory functions, motor control and manipulation loss; cognitive impairments; impaired abilities to understand their environment, carry out activities, communicate, or remember what they have done or even where they are (Barnes et al., 2001; Barnes, 2002). The essential need for the older population to lead a life of quality is to overcome these barriers that are linked with the ageing process. It has been identified from past research that in homes with design features that offer the most compensation for physical and sensory frailties, the residents exhibit the

greater compensation for cognitive incapability, residents feel more positive and confident (Lawton, 1982; Barnes, 2002).

It is anticipated that quality of life is the degree to which the human needs are satisfied. If Maslow’s (1954) hierarchy is taken as the starting point, it will be recalled that at the base of the pyramid are the physiological aspects.

These include shelter, comfort, safety and security. On moving up the pyramid, the picture becomes more complex, as psychological needs are added. These involve belongingness, self-esteem, privacy, and beauty at the apex. The identified issues are important for home and are especially important to older people. Actually, all these issues become more intense with age, as it is typical for the elderly to experience a decline in strength and stamina, mobility and sensory functions (Torrington et al., 2004; Burton and Torrington, 2007). People think that they can find comfort, safety and security in their own homes but, as they become older, the reality changes; e.g. their existing houses become too big to be maintained by them. Within this context, what they need and what they want are perhaps quite different. This creates a dilemma that has to be resolved.

A key concern surrounding housing for an ageing population is the ability of people to look after themselves, i.e. functional capability. This refers to the capacity for any individual to live safely, independently and easily, regardless of physical limitation (Barnes et al., 2001). Often the greatest fear in the ageing process is a fear of losing one’s independence, a need to continue to be actively involved in life (Barnes, 2006). Retaining mobility and independence is vital because it enables older people to venture outdoors, to enjoy life, to meet other people without being dependent on others. This is absolutely right but at the other end of the scale, how safe and capable are older people in living independently? The desire for continued independence is a strong stimulus as people become older. Yet, there are associated risks, and therefore the provision of safety devices and procedures may be viewed by them as both a safeguard and a threat. Dupuis and Thorns (1998) recognise the relationship between sense of security and control. They point out that it is clearly important to design safe environments, but the challenge is to do it without compromising individual freedom. Thus a careful balance is

to be met between independence and where older people can comfortably use and enjoy the environment without worrying about falling, tripping or being attacked.

As elderly individuals search for meaning in their lives, there comes recognition and acceptance of the importance of a sense of community. The importance of belonging, i.e. either within the family or within the wider community is a vital component to meaning in their lives (see Figure 2.1) (Oswald, 2003). Human ecology theory also states that interaction between people is so significant that lack of social integration can potentially decrease the individual’s capacity for dealing with stress, and lead to increasingly poor health. People have a strong need for interaction and this aspect has to be brought into the life of older people (Baumeister and Leary, 1995; Nezlek et al., 2002; Lawton, 2001). However even this interaction caries danger, as elderly people can be fearful of meeting new people (Bowling, 1995).

Lack of mobility restricts older people’s ability to go outside which can lead to loss of their social activities, such as relationships with family (see Figure 2.4) and friends (see Figure 2.5).

Source: Alexander et al., 1977a Figure 2.4: Relationships with family

Source: Giddings, B. (2008) People and Places [Presentation for the Bidders]. 8 December.

Despite concerns, the experience of growing old can be associated with a positive outlook on life and also an active approach to handling the challenges of ageing. The elderly wish to be useful and want to continue to contribute to the community so that they can maintain a sense of continuity within their lives. Active involvement in daily life gives a feeling of being valued and it also means that, despite being old, people are still capable of carrying out tasks. This provides encouragement, a feeling that life still is worthwhile and gives them strength that helps to preserve self-esteem and meaning to their existence (see Figure 2.6).

Source: Giddings, B. (2008) People and Places [Presentation for the Bidders]. 8 December.

Figure 2.5: Relationships with friends

Figure 2.6: Activities

It has been suggested that, with ageing, the need for physical security and emotional security are intensified. For many older adults, home becomes more important, central to daily living and the base for activities (Sixsmith, 1990; Moore, 2000a and b; Oswald and Wahl, 2005). Thus the domestic setting should be an especially safe and secure environment that enables residents to move about freely and keep their possessions intact as they can be fundamental to maintaining a clear sense of being.

Becoming older may mean a change in the domains of importance in the perception of the quality of life. Social interaction can provide older people with a meaningful role that gives them a sense of value, purpose, identity, and attachment to a community. As the domestic environment acquires new meaning in old age, its design should compensate for the diminished functional capacity (Torrington, 1996; Torrington et al., 2004). Consequently it is essential that design solutions offer choice between private and social contexts, retreat opportunities, and stimulating social features. Accessing outdoors may further encourage interaction with others and generally to take part in the social life of the wider community. However, the elderly also wish to keep their interactions under control, so that an acceptable level of privacy is achieved (Altman, 1975; Leino-Kilpi et al., 2001). An appropriate balance should be achieved between social interaction, privacy and refuge; as social isolation, is a significant threat to older people. Altman’s (1976) notions of privacy and belongingness, and the observations by Nezlek et al. (2002) that the apparent contradiction in this polarised situation seems to increase with age, are points made in the analysis of human needs. The debate is whether the existing family house can continue to satisfy this complex set of circumstances as its residents become older.

Attention to sensory stimulation is a significant aspect of friendly environments for older people, as it has positive benefits. The literature suggests that outdoor environments, in particular, have numerous attributes (Day et al., 2000; Curtis et al., 2007). Apart from providing physiological benefits, like the enhancement of physical health; they also have psychological benefits that include stress reduction, contentment with life,

walking and especially gardening can enhance older people's sense of achievement, confidence, and satisfaction (Chalfont, 2005). Exposure to natural daylight is another health benefit that is gained from having access to the outdoors. Figure 2.7 shows the transposition of a room to an external environment, where relaxation can be achieved outdoors.

Source: Jones, P. and Sharma, M. (2008) Architecture and Spatial Design [Presentation for the Bidders]. 8 December.