How To Design For Senior Citizens

2/2/2019 How To Design for Senior Citizens | ArchDaily
ArchDaily Articles How To Design for Senior Citizens
How To Design for Senior Citizens

16:00 - 26 August, 2018 | by Flavia Ranieri | Translated by Fernanda Cavallaro
Share in Whatsapp
The population’s aging phenomenon is occurring worldwide. We say phenomenon because all population
pyramids are reversing, which means birth rates are steadily decreasing over the years, and at the same
time, life expectancy has been increasing. Thus, the elderly population is growing at a faster rate than
children.
By using ArchDaily, you agree to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.
I ACCEPT
›
https://www.archdaily.com/900713/how-to-design-for-senior-citizens 1/13
According to IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics), in 2017 there were more than 30 million
people over the age of 60 in Brazil (14.6% of the population). To understand this growing demographic,
let's take a look at other countries' statistics. Mexico's total population is about 28 million, the size of
Australia's and New Zealand's combined population. We are talking about a demographic the size of a
country.
The issue with these statistics is the rate at which we have reached these numbers. While developed
countries such as France took 115 years to make this demographic shi , developing countries such as
China took around 27 years [1]. It’s what we call a rapid demographic transition. That means that while
developed countries could gradually prepare themselves by adapting services, politics, and
infrastructures dedicated to an older population, developing countries are in a situation where there is not
enough care for these individuals. Thus, a lower quality of life for our elders.
I ACCEPT
›
And who are they? In Brazil, a person over 60 years old is considered an elder, while in developed countries
it is usually over 65. It would be easy if defining people was as simple as that, by age. But it isn’t.
Our old age is the result of our environment and the choices we have made. According to the WHO (World
Health Organization), six items influence how we will age. These determinants are social, economic,
behavioral, personal, the available social and health services, and the physical environment. We can reach
old age as active individuals or as having an advanced level of frailty that compromises our functional
abilities [2]. To keep the elderly population healthy and active is a necessity and not a luxury.
I ACCEPT
›
But how do we keep the elderly population active? There are four pillars that are currently considered:
health, continued learning and education, social participation and security, and protection.
As architects and urban planners, there is a lot we can contribute, be it on the public policy front or
directly in the physical environment. We can work with the macro scale of cities and the small scale of
dwellings.
Regarding cities, the most important problems are related to accessibility, public transportation, and
services. A recent study from USP (Sao Paulo University) analyzed the databases of bus lines, subway, and
trains, senior and disabled people exclusive parking spaces; relief and grade; as well as the accessibility of
service and retail establishments in the city of Sao Paulo [3]. It is clear from the findings that the expanded
city center o ers better conditions, Bráz being the first district on the list, followed by República and Sé. In
the last positions, we find the districts of Iguatemi, José Bonifácio, and Cachoeirinha. To see the entire
rank, access this link. If we cross this data with the districts that have the largest number of older people,
it is possible to draw a focused and e icient improvement plan. We rely a lot on political will, but our
associations can add
By using ArchDaily, pressure
you toour
agree to make them
Terms of aUse,
reality.
Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.
I ACCEPT
›
In 2012, the State of Sao Paulo created a program called “the elderly-friendly city,” but it was only until
January 2018 that the city has adhered to it. Now there are 670 cities studying and promoting initiatives in
the State. “Currently, the City Hall’s social assistance network has 134 specific services aimed for the
elderly, such as Day Centers and Reference Centers for daytime activities, and special Living Centers and
long-stay institutions for refuge. Together, these centers serve about 15 thousand people” [4], says the City
Hall. It is little considering that the city is home to around 1.4 million elders; a huge field for architects and
urban planners.
To aid the quest for better quality of life for the elderly in cities, the United Nations launched the guide
“Measuring the age-friendliness of cities – A guide to using core indicators” [5]. When it comes to the
physical environment, it lists the following items:
Planning and land use

Public space and public buildings design
Housing design and cost options
Means of transportation design
Among these items, we should consider the ability to traverse the city, the accessibility of public spaces,
By using ArchDaily,
buildings, and meansyou
ofagree to our Terms
transportation, andofthe
Use, Privacy
ability to aPolicy and Cookie
ord housing andPolicy.
security. All these items
impact the health and well-being of the elderly. Many guides found online can be used as a starting point
in the creation of one’s own.
I ACCEPT
›
For those in search of something practical and to the point, this is the check-list suggested by WHO [6]
when it comes to physical aspects.
External Areas of Spaces and Buildings
Public spaces should be clean and pleasant.

Provide safe and well-kept seats and green areas.
Paved sidewalks, free of obstacles, and exclusive to pedestrians.
Anti-slipping flooring wide enough for a wheelchair. Curbs adapted to access the roadway.
Safe crosswalks adapted to di erent needs, having anti-slipping paving, visual and audio
communication signals, and adequate crossing time.
Pedestrians must have priority in crossings.
Bike lanes separated from the pedestrian area.
Good lighting, police surveillance, and community education.
Services should be placed near each other and accessible.
Special customer service, such as separate waiting lines.
Good signage inside and outside of buildings, with enough seats and bathrooms, li s, ramps and
accessible stairs. I ACCEPT
›
Enough public toilets in external and internal areas, in good conditions.
Housing
Enough a ordable housing in safe areas and near services and community support.
A ordable maintenance services and support.
Well built and designed housing, providing safety, comfort, and shelter.
Accessible interiors guaranteeing free movement in all rooms and corridors.
Renovating housing for the elderly population needs to a ordable.
Public and private a ordable rent that can provide suitable housing conditions.
A ordable housing for the elderly whose health needs are more delicate and urgent. The ability to
access care from nearby.
Designing for the elderly is complex. There are two main issues to be considered: emotional and physical
safety.
A home is a lot more than a shelter; it is the place where one builds one’s life. It is their corner of the world
[7]. It’s a place for memories, current experiences,
›
and future dreams [8]. It’s where one recognizes oneself.
I ACCEPT
The 37th article of the statute says that “the elderly have the right to decent housing, with a natural or
substitute family, or unaccompanied by family if it is their wish, or even in private or public institutions.” If
a healthy, elderly person desires to live alone, you must give them that right. O en this wish is ignored
because of the family’s fears, which can be overcome by a good automated support system, for example.
In the beginning of the article I mentioned the fact that the elderly population is di erent within itself and
that there are many di erent levels of functional ability. A house destined to a completely independent
person is very di erent from one for a disabled person. It is true that some losses are common to all,
particularly those that a ect the senses, like sight, hearing, tact, smell, and taste. The muscular,
connective, bony, neurological, cardiopulmonary, gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems are also
a ected. That’s where things get di icult. Each elder will have a di erent loss in every one of those
systems. To design a house that answers to every loss is expensive and unnecessary.
In this website, I provide an e-book with a basic checklist for designing homes for the elderly. It broadly
covers the mild losses and can be done by the owner.
Uniform lighting with no shadow areas.
Extra lighting in work areas, such as desksI ACCEPT
and counters.
›
Matte leveled anti-slipping floors.

Wide corridors, enough for the circulation of a wheelchair and two people walking side-by-side.
Grab bars in strategic places such as bathrooms and corridors.
Resting areas when there are great lengths to be walked.
Keep passages free of obstacles such as loose wires, toys, furniture, and low objects.
Avoid using carpets.
Furniture and cabinets at an appropriate height.
If the architect wishes to be more precise in their decisions, speak with the user to understand what their
biggest challenges are.
Katz index is a great tool to evaluate the dependence degree in basic daily activities, the 'ABVD', where
activities such as bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring from the bed to a chair, continence, and feeding
are evaluated.
In situations where the architect is designing for a general public, the former tips may help, but if the elder
or a group of elders has a specific limitation such as Alzheimer, for instance, or Parkinson, it will be
necessary to learn more about the disease.
How do you design a home for someone with Alzheimer? A group of architects from the Netherlands
developed the Dementia
By using ArchDaily, Village
you agree to with this scenario
our Terms in mind.Policy
of Use, Privacy An entire
and neighborhood,
Cookie Policy. with houses, squares,
and stores for elders who share this type of dementia. It is an enclosed community. All the houses open to
I ACCEPT
squares and every group of houses has its own style. There are seven in total. Some more classic, some ›
modern… whichever style the owner prefers. The squares are also di erent among themselves. This helps
to create the natural dynamic of cities and facilitates orientation. The dweller is free to go anywhere. The
workers don’t wear uniforms and are trained to help them. The most interesting part of this project is that
this configuration allows the person to keep their independence and autonomy, but with safety. Another
interesting point is that the theater and the restaurants are open to the public. They divulged the initiative
and the neighboring communities have adhered to the space, which helps to give it less of a confined and
institutional atmosphere.
See how an architect’s role goes beyond designing an accessible bathroom or an adequate ramp? The
architect plays a fundamental part in the perception that the dweller will have of the space. The architect
can and must help to promote the elder’s autonomy, independence, and provide dignity in the use of the
space. More than ever the role of architecture becomes relevant, helping to bring a better quality of life so
that elderly people can continue to live the present moment in the best possible way.
Notes
[1] KALACHE, A. & KELLER, I. (2000). “The greying world: a challenge for the 21st century”. Science Progress
83 (I), 33-54.
[2] World Health Organization. Envelhecimento ativo: uma política de saúde. Tradução Suzana Gontijo. –
Brasília: Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde, 2005. 60p.:Il
[3] http://interscity.org/apps/acessibilidade/
[4] http://www.prefeitura.sp.gov.br/cidade/secretarias/saude/noticias/?p=247751
[5] World Health Organization. Measuring the age-frinedliness of cities: a guide to using core indicators.
Geneva. 2015. 120p.
[6] http://www.who.int/ageing/publications/Age_friendly_cities_checklist.pdf
[7] BACHELARD, G. A poética do espaço. São Paulo: Martins, 2008
[8] CSIKSZENTMIHALYI E ROCHBERG-HALTON, 1981, p.9
Share in Whatsapp
About this author
I ACCEPT
›
Flavia Ranieri
FOLLOW
Author
See more:
News Articles Elders health Universal Access senior citizens Flavia Ranieri
Cite: Ranieri, Flavia. "How To Design for Senior Citizens" [Como projetar para a terceira idade] 26 Aug 2018. ArchDaily.
(Trans. Cavallaro, Fernanda) Accessed 2 Feb 2019. <https://www.archdaily.com/900713/how-to-design-for-senior-
citizens/> ISSN 0719-8884
BROWSE THE CATALOG
Swisspearl Largo Interior Fiber Cement Panels

Swisspearl
Water in Architectural Design

Enscape
3D Rendering So ware
Lumion
I ACCEPT
Terroxy Resin Systems in Hotels & Restaurants ›
Terrazzo & Marble
Armchairs - Tortuga
Sancal
Minimal Frame Window - ah!60 - Performance

panoramah!®
Wall E ect - Nanoled Frame

SIMES
Back-Ventilated Facades - CELLON

Bruag
Insulated Lo Ladders LWT Passive House

FAKRO
More products »
I ACCEPT
›
1 Comment ArchDaily 
1 Login
 Recommend t Tweet f Share Sort by Newest
Join the discussion…
LOG IN WITH
OR SIGN UP WITH DISQUS ?
Name
Livon Diramerian • 5 months ago

We better design cities & buildings that humanize people & harmonize nature.
△ ▽ • Reply • Share ›
✉ Subscribe d Add Disqus to your siteAdd DisqusAdd 🔒 Disqus' Privacy PolicyPrivacy PolicyPrivacy
I ACCEPT
›

How To Design For Senior Citizens - ArchDaily

Diunggah oleh

Informasi Dokumen

Judul Asli

Hak Cipta

Format Tersedia

Bagikan dokumen Ini

Bagikan atau Tanam Dokumen

Opsi Berbagi

Apakah menurut Anda dokumen ini bermanfaat?

Apakah konten ini tidak pantas?

Hak Cipta:

Format Tersedia

How To Design For Senior Citizens - ArchDaily

Diunggah oleh

Hak Cipta:

Format Tersedia

2/2/2019 How To Design for Senior Citizens | ArchDaily

ArchDaily Articles How To Design for Senior Citizens

Planning and land use

External Areas of Spaces and Buildings

Public spaces should be clean and pleasant.

Matte leveled anti-slipping floors.

BROWSE THE CATALOG

Swisspearl Largo Interior Fiber Cement Panels

Water in Architectural Design

Terrazzo & Marble

Minimal Frame Window - ah!60 - Performance

Wall E ect - Nanoled Frame

Back-Ventilated Facades - CELLON

Insulated Lo Ladders LWT Passive House

 Recommend t Tweet f Share Sort by Newest

Join the discussion…

Livon Diramerian • 5 months ago

Anda mungkin juga menyukai