DIFFERENCES OF NEWLY BUILT TYPE AND RENOVATED TYPE GROUP HOME FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF SPACE AND OPERATION

要旨

In Japan a change in philosophy and the approach of care for the people with dementia has also been applied as an alternative form; Group Home (GH) to the traditional institutional form around 1990. The GH building type is divided into two types, one is new houses build for GH (newly built type), and the other is an old building used as a GH (renovated type). Among the renovated type, old Japanese style houses are used as GH. In this study, six group homes were selected for comparison. By comparing the space patterns of these homes, the purposes of the study are to clarify the difference in the quality of space between the newly built type GH and the renovated type GH. This study leads to some conclusions as follows: (1) In the public space of the GH, like the living room, dining room and kitchen, the continuity of space is the most important point. It is necessary for residents to see, hear or feel other people's presence at every point inside the GH. This is crucial elderly people with dementia feel lonely and fearful when they are left alone. (2) As for the reasons why the old Japanese style house could give a positive influence to the residents, we believe it is not only the space elements, but also some psychological effects. The old house could encourage an atmosphere where residents and staff feel they are family members.

主題