Elderly care, invisibly supporting people to be part of society among generations Knowledge of healthcare in different societies gives better insight and the right tools to optimize support. For example, the healthcare system in the Netherlands is known for its quality and efficiency. In the nineteen sixties elderly care was organized in elderly homes. The role of the caregiving process was very dominant in these institutions, as the care for elderly people regulated the life of the people living in these elderly homes completely.
The last 20 years elderly care in the Netherlands has transformed to a way of supporting people to live life as normal as possible. It can be supplied in their own homes or in newly build residences in the heart of the society. The new housing for elderly appears to be a ‘normal’ apartment featuring some intelligent extra’s and which can be easily adapted to specific needs where necessary. For instance wide doors are both convenient for normal people as necessary for people using a wheelchair. A large bathroom feels luxurious, but is also useful if you need to be supported by a care professional. But these are just examples of ‘ ordinary’ issues to be concerned in the design for housing that can be used for a lifetime.
Our extensive experience in designing healthcare buildings helps Dutch Health Architects to include this essential, but often invisible, quality in the design for elderly. Nursing homes have different demands because daily living has to be combined with a good working environment for the healthcare professionals. Intelligent concepts and designs like those of Dutch Health Architects are meeting both requirements at the same time. A profound understanding of designing for all ages, combined with our knowledge and expertise in the design of working environments for healthcare professionals, helps us to ‘design for a lifetime in which care can discretely support people to remain a part of society among the generations with or without physical or psychological limitations’. Preface by Victor de Leeuw
ISBN: 9787561179000
Author: Hi-Design International Publishing
Publisher: Dalian University of Technology Press
Category: Architectural Design
Language: English
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 336
Binding: Hardcover