DESIGNING FOR AN AGEING DEMOGRAPHIC


The term ‘Proxemics’ was coined in 1963 by the anthropologist, Edward T. Hall. Essentially it is ‘the study of the behavioural, sociological, and cultural aspects of interpersonal spatial distancing’.


l New relationships and intimacy in long term care: The views of relatives of residents with dementia and care home staff – May 2016.


Radio interviews The Institute of Health & Social Care Management (IHSCM), in partnership with the ‘Later Life Audio’ and ‘Radio Co-operative’, launched a new radio programme called Care Speaks in September 2022. Interviews and discussions will be chaired by Mervyn Eastman, originally of ‘Age Speaks’. Interesting and informative radio broadcasts will be held weekly. Esther Wiskerke was interviewed on the 13 October 2022, and I will be interviewed on 27 April 2023.


Proxemics in ageing The term ‘Proxemics’ was coined in 1963 by the anthropologist, Edward T. Hall. Essentially it is ‘the study of the behavioural, sociological, and cultural aspects of interpersonal spatial distancing’. It investigates individuals’ intimate, personal, social, and public ‘bubbles’, and how they dialogue with one another. This dialogue is greatly dependent on the senses. An insight into the ageing senses will help develop space planning, furniture, and fittings, and ultimately define personal relationships. With declining sensory perception in old age and illness, levels of engagement will re-adjust. Sight impacted by macular degeneration and demised lateral vision will have a great impact on social interaction. However, the sense of


Richard Mazuch notes that during the recent pandemic, ‘dating for seniors has been noticeably on the increase’.


touch – the ‘Haptic sense’, also known as the Confirmatory sense, will become more prominent in meaningful relationships. For further useful and insightful reading, see Influence of sensory ability on the interpersonal distance of the elderly, by Jennifer Webb and Margaret Weber, 1 September, 2003.


Benefits of intimacy The Baby Boomer’s expectations are very different to those of previous generations, having experienced the emancipation of women, the contraceptive pill developed in the 1950s, which caused a revolution per se, Woodstock, ‘The Year of Love’, the Permissive Society, the Joys of Sex, Sexual Diversity, and Sexual Liberation. ‘Human beings naturally crave intimacy, and this need doesn’t diminish as we grow older’ – Sexual Health for Older Adults – 15 December 15 2021. Intimacy is vitally important to our wellbeing. Positive and passionate romantic relationships are still fulfilling in later years, and have been linked to numerous health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and reducing stress. Remarkably, they also include accelerated post-operative recovery, which is so common among this cohort, and, wonderfully, an increase in lifespan.


Clearly, sensitive considerations have to be made in terms of the barriers to engaging on such intimacy. These may be emotional factors, cognitive factors, and indeed physical factors – the latter are particularly pertinent in today’s image- conscious society. Consultants such as Esther Wiskerke, as previously mentioned, are well placed to advise on such matters. Esther has made it her mission to raise awareness and tackle the taboos around managing people’s sexuality in a senior care setting.


Spaces for intimacy Healthcare designers and planners should be sensitive, considerate, and even creative, in developing/enabling such vital levels of engagement. We clearly address essential levels of domestic activity encompassing living, cooking, dining, resting, and sleeping, but subconsciously or even consciously avoid design dialogue in this intimate aspect of daily living. The bedroom, a long unedited space, will need to be reassessed and redesigned. We spend a third of our lives here. We may have been conceived here, and even delivered here. ‘Yes, we have sex here… otherwise, none of us would be here’. ‘Empty Nesters’ have more time and


We clearly address essential levels of domestic activity encompassing living, cooking, dining, resting, and sleeping, but subconsciously or even consciously avoid design dialogue in this intimate aspect of daily living


Richard Mazuch: “Research states dancing can reduce the risk of Dementia.” THE NETWORK | NOVEMBER 2022


‘Mind Gyms’. 23


Courtesy of Richard Mazuch


Courtesy of Richard Mazuch


Courtesy of Richard Mazuch


Courtesy of Richard Mazuch


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34