Designing Assisted Living Facilities to Foster a Sense of Home

Abstract

Since 1993, the number of assisted living facilities has increased by 49.4%, surpassing nursing home growth (22%) and inviting a vast array of products whose purpose is to foster homelike settings within long-term care facilities. For housing and design professionals, the choice in specifying products to create the most homelike qualities in each environment can be influenced just as greatly by product familiarity, maintenance, and personal preference, as by project budget and schedule. Homelike also embodies one ‘s ideals of family, familiarity, choice, independence, and memories, making environmental selections challenging. This study sought to uncover information related to actual preferences of residents to better inform the design process. Residents of three assisted living facilities in northern Colorado were surveyed for their perceptions of homelike qualities within their living spaces. Results showed that homelike qualities included carpet, paint, fabric drapery, upholstered furniture, incandescent lighting, fabric floral patterns, wood doors, photographs, and light color palettes. Qualitative data uncovered four major themes: personal/memories, socialization, physical environment, and autonomy as indicators for the selection of favorite items and individual concepts of home.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ronald L. Reed

Ronald L. Reed is Assistant Professor, Interior Design Program, College of Visual Arts and Design, University of North Texas, Denton, TX

Katharine E. Leigh

Katharine E. Leigh and Kenneth R. Tremblay, Jr., are Professors, Department of Design and Merchandising, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, co.

Kenneth R. Tremblay

Katharine E. Leigh and Kenneth R. Tremblay, Jr., are Professors, Department of Design and Merchandising, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, co.