practical living
QUT researchers Dr Fatima Kamali ( left ), Professor Thea Blackler , and Dr Claire Brophy ( right ). Picture : Supplied .
Finding comfort
Transforming residential living into a ‘ home ’.
By Elise Hartevelt
A new study has highlighted the importance of personal possessions in designing communal areas in nursing homes to create a sense of belonging for residents .
A UK study , conducted by researchers from the QUT School of Design and Sheffield Hallam University , explored the link between personal items and a facility ’ s design in shaping the residents ’ sense of home .
They found that many preferred spending time alone in their rooms and avoided communal areas when the design of the common room was viewed as ‘ unhomely .’
QUT professor Thea Blackler said residents ’ identities were influenced by their ability to keep treasured objects and personalise their rooms .
“ The place may be called an aged care home , but for many residents , it might not feel like a home at all ,” she said .
“ Creating a homely atmosphere is crucial for residents to feel a sense of belonging and comfort .
“ We need to do better in considering residents ’ needs in the design and enable more personalisation in common spaces .”
The researchers found that residents rarely used the communal areas due to impersonal and flawed design , such as resembling a hotel lobbies , and only visited them for scheduled activities .
Instead , residents turned to their rooms to spend several hours a day sitting in their chairs or lying on their bed .
Cleanliness was reported as a major problem , where residents didn ’ t want to sit on seats they thought were unclean due to the incontinence of other residents .
The shared spaces were also designed ‘ unhomely ’, looking similar to clubs with rows of chairs to make space for people using wheelie walkers .
This layout negatively impacted residents ’ ability to interact and communicate with others , particularly those with hearing impairments .
Professor Blackler said this preference for solitude in their private rooms adversely affected their mobility , cognitive abilities , and emotional wellbeing .
“ Spending so much time in small rooms can make people more isolated and less mobile ,” she said .
“ Especially if they are lying in or on the bed due to clutter on their chairs .”
While staff and family might view personal belongings as clutter , they presented a strong bond to the residents and their identity , professor Blackler said .
One interviewee explained the significance of her ‘ clutter ’, saying , “ Because we don ’ t have much left when we come into places like this , we like to keep things .”
“ They say to me , get away with the clutter , and you ’ ll have more room , and you can do things better . And I say , ‘ No , leave it , it ’ s my clutter ’,” she said .”
Professor Blackler said that , generally , downsizing is a natural process where people let go of items as they undergo changes in self-identity and keep others as symbols of their life stories .
This process carries existential significance , as personal belongings are viewed as an extension of one ’ s identity , she said .
“ But most people in aged care move into residential care immediately after hospitalisation , leaving them with little time to undergo their ‘ natural decluttering ’ process .”
While the QUT team emphasised the importance of personal belongings , they also acknowledged that it presented fall risks and lowered movement in private spaces .
Falls are considered the number one preventable injury in aged care , representing 42 per cent of hospitalisations and 40 per cent of deaths .
People who move around less are at a higher risk of falls and fall-related injuries as muscle strength reduces and deconditions . Before allowing residents to keep their personal chairs , physiotherapists and other staff assess furniture to ensure the safety of both residents and staff .
“ We saw many rooms that had a personal chair stacked full of books , activities and laundry , leaving the resident with only their bed to rest on ,” professor Blackler said .
“ But it ’ s important to encourage older people to sit rather than lie down .”
One interviewee told the team his office chair was a powerful connection to his lifelong legal career .
He shared , “ Well , this is my [ office ] chair from when I was at the bar . I ’ ve kept it all these years ...”
In response , Brisbane-based LifeCare Furniture , who funded the study , worked with the QUT team to address design challenges in aged-care environments .
They devised a new chair where the covers could be easily removed to clean , and a new one reassembled in less than 20 minutes .
The team recommended that private rooms be redesigned to encourage residents to comfortably spend time in but not in bed .
They also suggested that aged care providers should remove physical barriers to improve communication and comfort .
“ Residents should have comfortable spaces to spend time in their rooms , promoting mobility and engagement ,” professor Blackler said .
“ Aged care homes should encourage placement and use of residents ’ possessions in common areas , whether pictures or photos , craft supplies , finished craftwork or chairs .” ■
24 agedcareinsite . com . au