Health , wellbeing and inclusion
32 .
Using computational modelling to design more effective aged care environments for people living with dementia
The problem
More than half the people living in residential care facilities have dementia . Additionally , without a medical breakthrough , almost 1.1 million Australians will be living with dementia by 2058 , that ’ s more than twice the number of people living with dementia today .
People living with dementia face specific challenges in their interactions with space . However , residential care facilities are largely designed to accommodate mobility problems , rather than dementia needs .
Our solution
More on this story
Using computational modelling we can analyse residential care facilities for people living with dementia to make them more effective and improve residents ’ lives , says Professor Michael J . Ostwald from UNSW ’ s School of Built Environment . Architectural assessment tools combined with advanced spatial analysis can help design – rather than retrofit – facilities to ensure they are truly fit-for-purpose .
Michael Ostwald and his team use a range of computational methods to analyse , optimise and understand architectural and urban space . His methods are used to examine relationships between design , human behaviour and cognition , frequently in partnership with the community , health and commercial sectors .
Working with an international team , Michael Ostwald developed a new audit tool to improve the quality of aged care design for people living with dementia . The tool , Plan-EAT , evaluates the effectiveness of planning layouts for residential care facilities using evidence-based principles , including safety , size and scale , reduction of stimuli , movement and engagement , and privacy and social interaction .
The tool supports the use of dementia design principles known to reduce symptoms and increase wellbeing which are infrequently implemented . It addresses specific care needs , including managing wandering behaviours , cognition issues and difficulties in undertaking daily activities , such as communicating , toileting and eating meals .
PlanEAT ’ s findings can be complemented with additional modelling to further increase the independence and welfare of people with dementia .
Our collaboration
Michael Ostwald collaborates with an international team of researchers from :
> The Centre for Environment Dementia and Ageing
Research ( CEDAR ) at the University of Stirling > University of Wollongong > Swinburne University of Technology > And UNSW Sydney .