Wayfinding/Veifinning : Fysisk utforming av sykehjemsavdelinger for demente 14.01.19

Abstract

The following paper investigated how the physical environment can support and help patients with dementia living in health institutions to easier find their way through the department. The study also explored if there are any elements in the physical environment can be helpful or harmful for patients with dementia? Gulstølstunet, a health institution for elderly, have painted the different departments in three different colours to make it easier for the residents to differentiate the areas. The colours of the wall in each corridor have also been painted so the colour becomes brighter as you get closer to the communal living room. A mixed-method was applied with a main focus on the qualitative data collection. 11 employees and the designer were interviewed, a short questionnaire to measure the residents ability to find their way through the environment rated by the employees was also included based on (Marquardt, 2009). Results indicate that painting the walls had no effect on the patients’ wayfinding ability. However, many of the participants expressed it was hard to measure whether or not the residents exhibit any difference in behaviour, but the new colour of the walls had a positive effect on the employees themselves.