RESEARCH INTO LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES FOR THE ELDERLY – FURNITURE FOR SENIORS DESIGN IN LEONARDOLAB

The article presents a description of the results of interdisciplinary cooperation connected with research carried out in the form of Project Based Learning within the scope of the project „Silesian University of Technology as a Modern Education Centre based on research and innovations”. The employees and students of the Biomedical Engineering and Architecture Faculties of the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice attempted to design a piece of furniture for seniors integrated with the control systems located in the LeonardoLab - a room used to test state-of-the-art technological solutions dedicated to dependent elderly persons.

The aim of the presented project was to develop team work abilities and to gain knowledge about the users’ preferences as well as their functional abilities. Another aim was to initiate creative approach to solving project problems and creating spatial solutions which address, sometimes very specific, human needs.

The main objectives and methods adopted in the didactic process were the following:
- familiarizing the students with the theory and principles of architectural design of seniors’ surroundings – by analysis of available literature and theory;
- acquiring the skill to conduct interdisciplinary research and analyses (architectural and connected with bioengineering) using selected methods; the ability to draw conclusions from them and to formulate guidelines for design and strategies;
- developing awareness of the importance and understanding of non-technical aspects and effects of engineering activities, including their impact upon the environment and the resulting responsibility for the decisions made – by means of discussions and presentations;
- a very important source of data and the basis for formulating conclusions concerning the comfort of an elderly dependent person and the working conditions of the carers was information obtained from the users on the methods of using the space in the wards – individual interviews were conducted.

The research part focuses on the zone where the dependant elderly person stays and analyses the person’s ergonomic requirements, the needs that result from the person’s health condition as well as his/her psychological needs.

The result of the work was an attempt to determine the optimal functional, spatial and formal characteristics of the furnishings used in a dependant elderly person’s room, facilitating the treatment process and creating conditions which support the existing functional competences of the elderly patient.

Based on this a piece of furniture for seniors was designed in the form of a bedside cabinet, controlled and adjustable to the individual user’s needs.
A functional model was created, which is the basis for further research and tests in order to improve it.

The following final assumptions were made in the article:
- suitable spatial conditions are one of the significant factors supporting an elderly patient in his/her existing functional competences,
- the individual elements in the dependant elderly person’s surroundings should enhance his/her mobility and activity, self-reliance and independence,
- the basic criterion in designing the space surrounding an elderly person is reducing stress by maintaining an appropriate level of control over the surroundings.