QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
Design Can Make the Difference S
eeing the increase in numbers of older adults and the importance of social interaction to their well-be-
ing, Howard University’s Farhana Ferdous, PhD, has trained her focus on finding research-based design and architectural solutions that function as effective health interventions, particularly in long-term and memory care. A recipient of grants from the Academy
of Architecture for Health Foundation and the Toyota Foundation, Ferdous received her PhD from the University of Sydney, Australia, and did her postdoctoral research in health care architecture at the University of Kansas. “Research literature suggests that resi-
dents value social environment more than other aspects of [communities],” she writes. “I think architectural design can create a supportive physical environment to improve social interaction. Positive social interaction is the most influential aspect of improving overall health and well-being.” In an email interview, Dr. Ferdous out-
lines the basics of healthy design for memo- ry care and some considerations for present and future challenges.
Small is beautiful Design aspects that contribute to well-being in memory care begin, she says, with the spatial layout of the physical environment: “The configuration should be open, com- pact, connected, visually and physically interactive, legible, and easily understand- able by the residents, caregivers, and users to promote positive social interaction.” But size and scale also play an important
role: “Mid-size to small-scale are considered the best sizes for promoting social interac-
tion,” Ferdous says; a space designed for 10 residents or fewer is most “homelike” and helps facilitate social interaction.
Improving connections Ferdous points out some important yet scal- able ways design can help encourage social interaction: • Appropriate furniture layout: Furniture layout and seating arrangements are the most important interior design consid- eration, she writes. “Small-group seat- ing at right angles is ideal to stimulate social interaction, and periphery seating against the wall should be avoided.
• Therapeutic gardens or outdoor envi- ronment: “Therapeutic outdoor envi- ronments can provide opportunities for multisensory stimulation through rem- iniscence and social interaction,” Fer- dous says. “Gardens should be designed with safe outdoor access to minimize hazard and improve independence by providing continuous wandering paths, scented but nontoxic plants, viewing platforms, and a mixture of flooring.”
• Exposure to natural settings: Commu- nities modeled after farms or “villages” can be a valuable alternative to more typical communities. “They provide an attractive, homelike environment, and activities that can positively influence engagement
and social interaction,
while allowing residents to be in close contact with nature.”
• Attention to indoor environment: “Ade- quate lighting, soothing sounds, appro- priate temperature, reduced noise, and other ambient features of the indoor en- vironment should be considered to max- imize the comfort and social interaction between residents and caregivers.”
In Social Interaction in Memory Care By Sara Wildberger
Thought Leader Profile
Farhana Ferdous, PhD
Assistant professor, architecture Howard University
COVID-19 changes In her recent research articles, Ferdous specified some immediate and cost-effective strategies that can be adopted while battling current COVID-19 related issues—and can be helpful into the future. “Although there are no proven design
features that will effectively eliminate the transmission of the virus, maximizing the use of outdoor space and activities, de-den- sification and de-centralization, improved indoor air quality, small-scale community space, and, above all, better use of technol- ogy are aspects that should be highlighted in redesigning future care communities.” “There is a need for evidence-based de-
sign solutions to accommodate the personal, social, and psychological needs of residents, staff, caregivers, and family members as they are proportionately related to physiological and psychological health and well-being.” “Researchers and professionals can help
the senior care administrators, residents, and caregivers by incorporating evidence-based design solutions in future communities.”
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
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