Aging in the Designed Environment is the key sourcebook for physical and occupational therapists developing and implementing environmental designs for the aging. The physical environment remains one of the most overlooked areas in environmental design. In order to move beyond this status quo, persons responsible for planning elderly environments must develop a new understanding of ways in which their influence can improve the older adult's physical and mental functioning. Occupational and physical therapists, as well as other health care professionals, will benefit tremendously from the information presented in this unique volume. Designers, developers, and others with minimal health care background will also find a wealth of possibilities within Aging in the Designed Environment. Many concerns are dealt with in the book's five sections. The first section describes the implications that occur when there are changes in vision, hearing, taste, smell, touch, and the kinesthetic systems. Recommendations for environmental adaptation and modifications which may compensate for the changes in each of these systems are suggested. The second section stresses the relationship between behavior and environment. A variety of environmental attributes--comfort, privacy, accessibility, control, security, dignity--and their impacts are discussed, along with information on ways that attributes can be incorporated into the living settings of older people. In section three the focus is on the older person living independently in his or her own home, and section four covers exclusively the design and selection of chairs for older adults. New ways to assess and evaluate the home to promote independence beyond the traditional activities of daily living are addressed. The last section deals with redesigning the existing long-term care facility. The author examines some of the environmental conditions existing in specific facilities and provides recommendations to compensate for these circumstances.

Aging in the Designed Environment is the key sourcebook for physical and occupational therapists developing and implementing environmental designs for the aging. The physical environment remains one of the most overlooked areas in environmental design. In order to move beyond this status quo, persons responsible for planning elderly environments must develop a new understanding of ways in which their influence can improve the older adult's physical and mental functioning. Occupational and physical therapists, as well as other health care professionals, will benefit tremendously from the information presented in this unique volume. Designers, developers, and others with minimal health care background will also find a wealth of possibilities within Aging in the Designed Environment. Many concerns are dealt with in the book's five sections. The first section describes the implications that occur when there are changes in vision, hearing, taste, smell, touch, and the kinesthetic systems. Recommendations for environmental adaptation and modifications which may compensate for the changes in each of these systems are suggested. The second section stresses the relationship between behavior and environment. A variety of environmental attributes--comfort, privacy, accessibility, control, security, dignity--and their impacts are discussed, along with information on ways that attributes can be incorporated into the living settings of older people. In section three the focus is on the older person living independently in his or her own home, and section four covers exclusively the design and selection of chairs for older adults. New ways to assess and evaluate the home to promote independence beyond the traditional activities of daily living are addressed. The last section deals with redesigning the existing long-term care facility. The author examines some of the environmental conditions existing in specific facilities and provides recommendations to compensate for these circumstances.

This pioneering volume taps the resources and skills of top rehabilitation professionals and applies them to the person with Alzheimer s disease and other related dementias.

Provide a comfortable living environment for the aging Aging in Place: Designing, Adapting, and Enhancing the Home Environment gives you a complete examination of current trends in adaptive home designs for older adults. As a therapist, designer, architect, builder, home planner, social worker, community organizer, or gerontologist, Aging in Place will show you innovative home designs and studies for creating environments that offer optimal living for aging adults. Complete with diagrams, floor plans, and tables, Aging in Place helps you to improve the quality of life for the elderly by offering them state-of-the-art designs that encourage independence and dignity. This unique and exciting book covers topics such as universal design which strives to create everyday environments and products like door handles and light switches that are usable by all people to the greatest extent possible, regardless of age or ability.Aging in Place will also show you how to: use follow-up visits by occupational therapists to ensure successful use of home modifications create environments that are helpful for vision rehabilitation by using controlled lighting and color schemes evaluate the quality of life for elderly people living in personal dwellings, specialized housing, and nursing homes explore architectural barriers and the uses of helping devices for elderly people examine research critiques of adaptive toilet equipment investigate modifications that have been made in homes for the elderly in India analyze ways in which elderly people have changed their homes to make the telephone more accessible Aging in Place is a complete guide to understanding the needs and latest trends in optimizing the living space of elderly persons. The book gives you access to several studies on elderly people's environmental needs and preferences in regard to modifications in personal and public dwellings. This information will assist you with better serving the elderly by helping them live more independently.