Innovative environments for individuals with Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

"Innovative Environments for Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease" examines different architectural designs of Alzheimer care facilities. The purpose of this work is to examine and interpret the existing data on aging, environmental psychology and dementia-related disease and apply it to the architectural design of special care units for individuals with Alzheimer's Disease. The author's intention is to supply long-term care providers and architects with architectural solutions for Alzheimer care units based upon a social model of care. The project will provide models for environments that will enhance the quality of life for cognitively impaired individuals and assist them in living at the highest level of experience possible. Design projects developed at The University of Arizona are similar in scale and appearance to the residential living environments that the impaired individuals experienced earlier in life. Conceptual designs are presented and supported by an in-depth discussion of Alzheimer's Disease and environmental design.