Introduction for Strategies to Define a Senior Friendly Environment Integrating Sustainable Living and Social Interaction

Image: Studio X, Thesis Project by Mahmuda Yasmin Dola in 2023

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Project

A retirement home is a multi-dwelling living facility designed for the elderly. It is also an older people's home, nursing home, or old age residence. In the absence of practical and emotional support from family, elderly care is a setting where a comprehensive spectrum of services (including mental and physical care) is provided. This can include places for socializing, eating, playing, and receiving medical or hospital care. Every person or couple living in the house typically has their apartment-style room or suite of rooms. There are more facilities in the building.

As a result, an old home is a place that:

a. The inclusive program's accommodations will create a setting that resembles a natural home.

b. Instead of isolating social forces, it integrates them.

c. It aims to be inclusive, ensuring a sustainable framework and architecturally sound environment for accommodation, health care, and community interaction.

The world population above 65 is estimated to increase to around 20% by 2050 from 6.9% in 2012. India has the highest aging population among SAARC countries, i.e., 62.1 million, followed by Bangladesh, i.e., 7.54 million (PRB 2011). As of 2019, over 13 million people in Bangladesh are over 60, which is 8% of the country's total population. The proportion of older people is expected to double to 21.95 in 2050, with 36 million people over 60. This means that for every five Bangladeshis, one will be a senior citizen.

Our country is developing, and people's moral values are declining. People are moving westward. In the past, there was no such thing as an old-aged home in our nation. However, now there is a demand for old-age homes. Our elderly residents reside in the old house, where certain people care for them. They occasionally receive no attention for their health and live alone with their sons or daughters. Some people do not have any children and do not have anyone to care for them. Ignoring our senior citizens in their families is a social problem. The reality is that we are powerless to stop our society's decline in morals. I, therefore, believe that our elderly population needs retirement homes.

"To work with the elderly, we must first know about the elderly, who are the elderly in our context." Generally, in Our Context, those above 60 years are called seniors. According to Gerontology, old age is divided into three categories:

✓ 60-70 – Young Old (নবীন প্রবীণ),

✓ 70-80 – Middle Old (মধ্য প্রবীণ),

✓ 80+ – Old Old/ Very Old (অতি প্রবীণ).

There is a reason for being divided into ten years of age. Now, if you plan with (60-70) years old's, it will be one way, (70-80) will be one way, and 80+ will be another.

✓ (60-70) Age: They are aged but perfectly workable. These older people do not have any significant sickness. They do their work. Moreover, take some responsibility and participation in society.

✓ (70-80) Age: Due to the anatomical and physiological changes of those in

this age range, they become somewhat quaggy.

✓ 80+ age: This life becomes a burden, not happiness. For the health conscious, this life expectancy is increasing daily. People of this age become completely bed-centered. He cannot walk to the toilet/bathroom by himself. Cannot die/cannot even stand up like situation. At this age, muscles, bones, and joints can no longer bear the body's weight. And for that, they need a LONG-TERM CARE CENTER.

Given the changing lifestyle and work environment, as well as the mobility of the workforce worldwide, the elderly urgently need health and care services. Furthermore, the difficulties that the aged population is already facing are anticipated to be worsened by the growing population of senior citizens. Besides that, there is a shortage of facilities specifically designed to care for senior residents, adding to the pressure on the healthcare system. Through the Ministry of Social Welfare, the Government of Bangladesh is piloting a project to be implemented to provide health care and related services targeted at the elderly to address this concern. The government then moved to construct a healthcare facility and housing for them.

The class difference among the old:

Old (Rich class):

· Children usually go abroad and try to settle there, making them lonely.

· Traditional bondage becomes weak among the children because the traditional ideology of looking after the old parents becomes false.

· As they are rich, sometimes the children remain eager to look after them till the asset is not distributed among them.

· In our country, human resources are available with comfortable change. So rich, who are alone, can easily manage people to look after them, which is a common practice in our country.

Old (Middle class):

· Social bondage is most muscular among middle-class families, making the old's life much more comfortable.

· Middle-class families get support from all sides like the children, relatives & neighbors. So despite all problems, the old is pretty happy.

· The new concept of individualism has created problems like the old, disturbing the children's everyday lives by interfering with all the issues. It needs consciousness among both of them, according to social theories.

· Now a daze a lot of these families are going abroad their parents alone

· The growing expenses made some of the children unable to bear enough expenses for the old. However, it is not a severe problem.

· Even sometimes, if the children are unwilling to look after their parents, they must look after them to remain in society.

Old (Lower class):

· Old is in real danger in this class.

· As they usually cannot gather assets for later life, they have no kith and kin to live with when they cannot lead their everyday life.

· Huge struggle loses family bondage among this class; children usually do not look after the old.

· Due to the less income, the children cannot look after their children.

· This causes the old to do hard work like Rickshaw pulling, which harms them, or they go begging. The maids usually work as a servant.

· They are usually in a considerable lack of nutrition due to not having proper food for a long time.

1.2 Client

The project has been piloted by the Government of Bangladesh through the Ministry of Social Welfare.

1.3 Location and Area of the Site

The location of the site for this proposed project is at Pachghori, Khadimpara in Sylhet, which is situated at ward no. 4, Shahporan thana and Khadimpara union. The project site is over 16.65 acres of land and is under the ownership of the ministry.

1.4 Problem Statement

A significant concern has been the steadily rising proportion of elderly people in the world's population. However, Bangladesh's policy agenda has not yet included this issue in a meaningful way. Older people will face several approaching issues, such as a lack of resources, inadequate healthcare services, a lack of social security, and more, in light of the current and predicted future population growth. Consequently, this group of people would be the most at risk in the following years.

Again, there raise tremendous tension between socio-economical and social-cultural aspects on behalf of the family structure. The concept of confined old-age homes is not making old-aged homes sustainable. Besides, moral degradation is increasing regarding old-age care. Care-giving institutions are heading towards more commercial & corporate purposes. A survey shows that among older people, 28.2 percent live to belong to the poverty line. Due to demographic changes and an increase in the aging population in society, QOL of older people is becoming a burning issue.

Moreover, the rapid expansion of industry and Bangladesh's modernization have had a wide range of effects on the population. Slowly but surely, the joint family tradition rooted in love, affection, and tradition is being lost in Bangladeshi society. Family life has also changed as a result. Instead of combined or joint, people have begun to believe in the "Nuclear family." Unfortunately, our older people are not occasionally welcome their son or daughter at their house. Their home cannot make them feel secure. Senior people feel loneliness and depression.

Furthermore, people do not know the correct classification of seniors and how seniors of all classes are appropriately treated. Also, they do not know about Geriatric Science and how it deals with the care of the elderly and their needs.

1.5 Issue Identification

Design-related issue findings in detail level:

In very general terms, the criteria for planning little residential typed housing accommodations, or we can say it just like another community, for the aged are: Small size and compactness for convenience.

· Fireproof construction is planned for maximum safety.

· Minimizing the problems and effort of housekeeping and daily activities.

· "Livability," pleasantness, and the effect of spaciousness.

· A high degree of privacy.

· Mechanical and electrical services should be arranged, as far as possible, so that maintenance is carried out from circulation areas rather than within the resident's rooms. This mainly applies to plumbing and waste systems, where ducts with access from the corridors are very useful.

· While the aged like sunshine and wish to see out, they do not like a sense of exposure that can be brought about by over-fenestration. Also, some older people suffer from eye conditions and need shelter from glare.

· Bedrooms or besetting rooms should be planned with a good level of sound insulation between units, both horizontally and vertically, as some older people get out of bed quite frequently during the night, disturbing their neighbors.

1.6 Aim of the Project

The study aimed to provide residential, healthcare, social engagement, recreational, and ancillary services specifically targeted toward the elderly population of the society.

1.7 Objectives of the Project

· To design a physically comfortable, safe, accessible space and develop a sensitive environment that makes

· the elderly independent and not isolated.

· All modern facilities will be provided to the inmates with barrier-free design and certain design principles that create a functional and convenient environment for older people.

· Interesting spaces for entertainment with safety and food, treatment, physical exercise, recreation, sports, and games will be provided in the center. Besides, they can communicate with their sons, daughter, and relatives staying abroad or enjoy other facilities. This will help them to break their loneliness and lead a comfortable and secure life.

1.8 Significance of Project in the Context of Bangladesh

In this project, I can achieve basic facilities and amenities such as residential, recreational, healthcare, and ancillary services for old-aged people. Moreover, interactive and playful spaces may be created to remove loneliness and depression. It also enhances the Thesis with a more profound sense of the aesthetic and technical issues. The design continues to assemble and translate interior design elements into an integrated whole and the interior finishes and furnishings. As it is where all kinds of people come, we must see that everyone equally acknowledges the design.

Architecture speaks for the society and contributes to social development. Old is often the most deprived persons in society. In our country, the government takes inadequate measures to ensure their well-being. It is appreciable that few NGOs these days are taking initiatives to provide accommodation and health care for older people. The problem is that these initiatives, in most instances, lack architectural insights, which results in the old homes being socio-economically unsustainable and isolated from society. This project would allow the opportunity to address the above problems and analyze underlying reasons, mainly because the initial analysis shows that the program proposed by the client is prospective, and they are interested in negotiating the program to make their old home more inclusive. This could help develop a typology of an old home that integrates social forces rather than separating/isolating. Moreover, the aim to design the old home as inclusive may ensure a sustainable solution with an architecturally sound environment for accommodation, health services, and other basic needs through extensive analysis of the relevant issues and qualitative interviews of the subjects

1.9 Limitations of the Project

It is a fundamental issue for the elderly & senior people because we need utmost medical care & looks after when we grow old, whether I am in Bangladesh or anywhere in the world. There are many reasons for looking for old age homes and retirement care homes in Bangladesh, such as migration or location of children due to their work, lack of time for youngsters, neglect, family problems, etc. Problems of the aged person in now a day are a worldwide one. It is now not only a family problem but also a social, national, and international one. Here are some limitations in the following:

· Old-age groups generally are the most neglected and deprived in our society. A class of people will never change their thoughts and consciousness about this issue.

· Inadequate steps from Government and Non-Governmental organizations. They committed many things but rarely followed up.

· Few NGO initiatives for older people often lack architectural insights.

· Stereo-type care homes mainly stress clinical care

· Exclusive program.

· Isolation from society/community pushes older people towards a roleless status /lifestyle. (i.e., depression, a passive and dependent object in society)

· There is no opportunity to experiment much with vertical exploration as it is a living environment for the aged.

1.10 Structure of the Study

Through the FGD survey study, I divided the main topics of my study into three fields. They are - Socio-Economic, Socio-Cultural, and Health and Well-Being. Later, various problems and positive aspects were found based on these three fields. Finally, I tried to find a possible solution by talking to my user group and authorities.

Next, I found out the main problems of my project and presented them in 3 main aspects.

1. First, we must come out of the closed old home concept. Older people should be allowed to walk freely. Whether they all like to hang out under trees, fishing facilities, cycling facilities, and their room windows to see different views of the environment - these things need to be considered.

2. Secondly, we need to establish long-term care centers where 80+ seniors are attended round-the-clock by geriatric service personnel.

3. Thirdly, in order to build a senior-friendly Bangladesh, an architecturally sustainable environment should be built for the seniors. We have to keep in mind that the toilet tiles should be matt or glossy; there should be a handling system in the toilet so that if the feet slip or wear down due to old age, they can grab it and climb up. Besides, there should be a provision for keeping a wheelchair; that is, it should be designed with enough space for its wheels to rotate.

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW AND CASE STUDY

2.1 Literature Review

In our country and occasionally in British English, the term "senior citizen" is frequently used to refer to an elderly individual. The individual referred to is implied to be retired or is assumed to be so. This thus typically means or indicates that the individual is past the retirement age, which differs depending on

the country. In our nation, someone who is 60 years old and retired from the government. Job. According to specific definitions, those over 65 are sometimes called "senior citizens." When used in an official setting, the term "senior citizen" is frequently employed for legal or policy-related purposes to identify those qualified for advantages offered to the age group

2.1.1 Physical Signs of Aging

Aging is a process of gradual change in the body. A range of natural changes occur in the elderly body and are not dependent on diseases. According to Bee (2000), Smith and Gove (2005), Gates and Walker (2014), and (Warburton, Nicol, and Bredin, 2006), some of the physical changes commonly associated with elderly persons are as follows:

1. Sensory changes within the elderly body

· One in every three individuals aged 60 years and above suffers from hearing impairment. They have difficulties perceiving high-pitched voices or making sounds when background noise is present.

· Aging causes a reduction in peripheral vision. Diminished eyesight makes it difficult to read and make out objects in low lighting. Severe vision impairments such as color blindness, cataract, blindness, and glaucoma become common in later years.

· Loss in taste sensitivity may occur. Taste buds diminish so that by age 80, taste buds are down to 50% of normal. Food may become less appealing, and malnutrition may occur

· Some form of loss of smell sensitivity may occur.

· Reduced sensitivity of the skin towards warmth becomes common in old age. An older person may thus be vulnerable to getting injured from hot objects such as heating pads, hot water bottles, etc. Contrastingly, greater sensitivity towards cold temperatures is developed. The skin loses elasticity and becomes prone to wear and tear, increasing the risk of injury and infections.

2. Changes in bones and muscles

· Older people tend to develop frail and brittle bones. This results in a reduction of height and a stooping posture. Thus, they become more susceptible to diseases such as osteoporosis and arthritis.

· Due to the loss of muscle tissue, physical strength reduction occurs, which may also result in increased chances of falls and muscle pain. Weight loss becomes common as well.

3. Changes in the digestive system

· Susceptibility to gum disease occurs, which increases the chances of losing teeth with age.

· Loneliness and depression may often result in stomach issues and loss of appetite. Other common concerns are reduction in bowel movement, constipation, and dehydration.

4. Changes in the circulatory system

· The heart becomes frailer due to aging and cannot pump blood as efficiently as earlier.

· Additionally, blood vessels lose elasticity. This decreases blood circulation around the body, resulting in a wide range of complications that may surface, such as a decrease in energy and stamina, swelling of feet and hands, cold sensitivity, poor cognitive functions, and susceptibility to cardiac diseases such as strokes, heart attacks, etc.

5. Changes in the respiratory system

· The lung tissues and airway vessels of elderly persons tend to lose elasticity, resulting in decreased respiration levels and, thus, less oxygen flow in the blood.

6. Changes in outlook

· Hair loss and graying become more familiar with age. Receding headlines, thinning of hair, and bald spots occur beyond 50, especially for males.

· The skin loses elasticity and becomes more vulnerable to wrinkles, scaling, and drying.

· Additionally, wearying of vocal cords results in a weakened, husky voice.

7. Increased susceptibility to diseases

· The immune system of individuals declines with age.

· Thus, the elderly are more vulnerable to various diseases in later life, such as diabetes, cancer, obesity, etc.

8. Other changes in the body

· Pain afflicts older people at least 25% of the time, increasing with age up to 80% for those in nursing homes. Most pains are rheumatologically or malignant.

· Sexual activity decreases significantly with age, especially after age 60, for both women and men. Sexual drive in both men and women decreases as they age.

· Sleep trouble holds a chronic prevalence of over 50% in old age and results in daytime sleepiness. In a study of 9,000 persons with a mean age of 74, only 12% reported no sleep complaints. By age 65, deep sleep goes down to about 5%.

· Urinary incontinence is often found in old age.

2.1.2 Mental Signs of Aging

Older people have a variety of psychological changes throughout their lives in addition to physical changes. About 15% of all people 60 and over experience mental illness (World Health Organization, 2016). As indicated by World Health Organization (2016), American Psychological Association (2015), and Glisky (2007), below are some examples of mental signs of aging:

1. The most common mental disorder among elderlies is dementia, defined by the World Health Organization (2016) as "the irreversible deterioration of intellectual ability accompanied by emotional disturbance." Dementia can often lead to impairment in socialization, memory loss, depression, fretfulness, and paranoia.

2. Adaptability describes most people in their old age. Despite the stressfulness of old age, they are described as "agreeable" and "accepting." However, old age dependence induces feelings of incompetence and worthlessness in the minority.

3. Anxiety disorders are common in elderlies and may be accompanied by fear and tension over a long period.

4. Changes in sexual organs and reactions result in a decrease in sexual drive and desires.

5. Sleep problems are more pronounced in individuals over 60, with almost 50% of all elderlies suffering from sleep deprivation.

6. Some elderlies may display cases of hypochondriasis, where the individual has a superior belief of suffering from a false claim of any disease.

7. Some elderlies may also suffer from alcohol and drug abuse, resulting from a prolonged list of recommended medications.

8. Almost 7% of all elderlies suffer from depression. Depression is also accompanied by unhappiness, vulnerability, and decreased motivation. "People with more negative age stereotypes will likely have higher rates of depression as they get older." Old-age depression results in the over-65 population having the highest suicide rate.

9. Behavioral changes such as physical aggression, violent outbursts, and motor overactivity (wandering) can also occur in elderlies.

10. Reduced mental and cognitive ability afflicts old age. Alzheimer's disease is also common among elderly individuals. It results in short-term memory loss and, in later years, may lead to long-term memory loss, childish behavior, and inability to perform simple daily tasks. Memory loss is common in old age due to decreased encoded, stored, and retrieved information speed. It takes more time to learn new information. Dementia is a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life. Its prevalence increases in old age from about 10% at age 65 to about 50% over age 85. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 50 to 80 percent of dementia cases. Demented behavior can include wandering, physical aggression, verbal

outbursts, depression, and psychosis.

11. According to estimates by the World Health Organization, mental disorders afflict about 15% of people aged 60+. Another survey in 15 countries reported that mental disorders of adults interfered with their daily activities more than physical problems.

12. Fear of crime in old age, especially among the frail, sometimes weighs more heavily than concerns about finances or health and restricts what they do. The fear persists, although older people are victims of crime less often than younger people.

2.1.3 Statistical Data of the Elderly Population in Bangladesh

According to a report by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (2015), the total percentage of elderly citizens in Bangladesh in 2011 was 7.7%, with the size of the population aged 65 years and

above being around 8 million. Furthermore, it is expected that the percentage will increase to more than 11% by 2050. The average rate of elderly living in Sylhet was 7.34% in 2011. In addition, the average life expectancy of a Bangladeshi resident increased from 59 years in 1990 to 69 years in 2010, and it is expected to increase to 75 years by the year 2050. The overall prevalence of contracting more than two chronic illnesses among elderlies in the mentioned year was 53.8%.

2.1.4 Sociological Context of Aging

The idea that older people are socially isolated and lonely is a frequent misconception. Even the most desolate and defenseless senior may be able to access some informal network for knowledge, financial counsel, moral support, or tangible services (Cantor, 1975). According to the social exchange hypothesis, most older people try to preserve reciprocity in their contact with younger people and each other. Families, friends, neighbors, and even acquaintances like store clerks and mail carriers can be effective preventative measures against some of the adverse effects of aging. Older people who live alone and are not connected to informal networks are likely to utilize legal services more frequently, have a higher probability of being institutionalized, and tend to have poorer personal satisfaction ratings.

Family: Family is the primary source of all types of assistance for older individuals. However, this ratio is steadily declining; about 94 percent of adults over 65 live with relatives. The family supports services for their elderly members by advocating for them and offering information and direct assistance. In the lives of elderly individuals, especially men, the marriage partnership serves as a vital support system. Having a spouse offers built-in companionship as parental and job duties lessen. Spouses are the most likely family members to act as confidants and sources of assistance.

Throughout their marriage, couples must learn to adjust to shifting responsibilities and expectations; family life is defined by a constant struggle between upholding individual liberty and resolving problems with fair trade and reliance. In the past, such tension may have been amplified. When a partner's position changes due to retirement, motherhood, or sickness, they struggle to let go of their old duties and fit into their new ones (Holahan, 1987). According to research, marital happiness is highest among newlyweds, lowest among couples raising children, especially in middle age, and highest in later stages (Chappell, 1990). Children are often the secondary carers, with spouses serving as the primary caregivers in most cases.

Relationship with adult children: Adult children are the most significant source of support and social interaction in old life, after spouses. Over 65 percent of older people reside in their children's homes in our nation. Adult children take over when a parent loses a spouse as the primary carers. Women make up about 80% of those who care for their families. It is either the daughter or the daughter-in-law. Our in-country law's daughter provides most of the care.

Friends and neighbors: Elders rely heavily on friends, neighbors, and acquaintances since they have developed a family-like bond with them. This is our everyday behavior, but it is severely hampered in modern society. They are the people that the elderly may turn to in an emergency. There are times when friendship calls for more equals-on-equals voluntary and reciprocal interactions. Long after the employment position has ended, the role of a buddy can still be maintained. Many older people are reluctant to move out of their homes and towns and live with their friends and neighbors.

Sibling relationships: They stand for the one familial connection that can endure forever. Particularly among sisters, the sibling relationship in old age is characterized by shared history, egalitarianism, and growing closeness. These relationships significantly impact one's final days because the older person can quickly feel and express their emotions and receive emotional support.

Childless Elderly: While most elderly individuals have children who are still alive, a small percentage don't have children and thus do not have the natural support of their children and grandkids. In our nation, a small percentage holds a significant amount. The massive labor export also leaves many older people childless last of their generation. They have considerable difficulty since the proverbial truth that "Children will care for you in your old age" is no longer valid for them. Older people without children typically go to their spouses for assistance before moving on to siblings, nieces, and nephews. More senior people without children are likewise more likely to be living alone.

2.1.5 Existing Community-based Support System for the Older People

Various types of care systems for the elderly in a different environment:

· Old Care Home

· Nursing home

· Hospice

· Community-based caring approach

Old Care Home: Housing for the elderly, whose primary goal is to guarantee good aging, also benefits older adults who are still alive physically, mentally, socially, and financially.

Nursing homes: Nursing homes bridge the gap between hospitals and residential care homes; that is,

between health services and social services.

Hospice: The overarching goal should be to foster a compassionate environment for elderly patients at the end of their lives. Hospice designs should have a homey feel; an official appearance should be avoided.

Community-based caring approach: In this concept, community-based caregiving strategies are considerably more centered on helping people integrate socially into their living areas. Spaces ranging from the most petite public to the most private are strongly encouraged.

2.1.6 The Community for the Older People

1. Resettlement: Everyone has trouble adapting to unfamiliar circumstances and changing their orientation. Even if the transfer is seen as an improvement to a better, safer, or more comfortable house, it is considerably more challenging for an older person who has lived in their home for a long time and will need more time to adapt. Older folks are typically less inclined to relocate to another community. Older people want to remain in their own house; 86 percent said this was their preference. Lawton identifies four fundamental components:

· A geographical limit

· Differentiating physical or natural environmental elements, such as terrain, buildings, and roads

· Residents who share a variety of traits, such as socioeconomic standing and ancestry in an ethnic minority

· Interactions between residents that may only be based on facial recognition or routine social interactions

2. Environmental Quality:

Various aspects of environmental quality must be considered, regardless of the kind of home where older people are housed. The following are the key elements:

Accessibility: Accessibility is the term used to describe removing obstacles that prevent people from entering and moving between different spaces. Vertical movement and long-distance movement require special consideration.

Physical safety: When designing facilities for the elderly, it is vital to consider age-related changes in movement and sensory functioning. Care should be used when providing prosthetic devices.

Privacy: It's an idea that's sometimes overlooked while creating institutions for the elderly. But it also has to be given a lot of consideration. Institutionalized older people could be even more keenly conscious of the need for privacy than older people who live in the community.

Territoriality: It is a fundamental human need, and most animal species also have it. One must claim a particular place as their own. The more one's ability to control their environment and daily circumstances are lost, the more one may feel the urge to claim any accessible area as their own.

Legibility: This refers to the degree to which an environmental setting facilitates or hinders users' understanding and identification with a location and the many cues individuals use to get themselves oriented.

Stimulation: The development of an unfavorable state of indifference can be avoided by providing environments that challenge an older person's mental, physical, and senior capacities without overpowering them.

3. Leisure for older people:

Maintaining relationships with people and finding new sources of competence and personal significance through leisure activities helps to compensate for lost previous sources. The following psychological advantages of leisure activities have been categorized according to how senior citizens view them.

Participants:

· Companionship (e.g., Playing chess or cards)

· Compensation for past activities (e.g., picnicking instead of hiking)

· Temporary disengagement (e.g., Watching TV)

· Comfortable solitude (e.g., Reading)

· Expressive solitude (e.g., Knitting & Crocheting)

· Explicit service (e.g., Volunteer service, attending meetings of social groups)

4. Religiousness & Spirituality:

For older people, religion seems to be more significant than for younger people. Nearly all older people exaggerate religion's role in their lives and claim it was the most important influence. Happiness, purpose, and morale have all been positively correlated with religious practices and attitudes. Over time, these connections get more vigorous. Conservative religious views have been linked to more calmness and less dread of dying, and those who find purpose in their faith report feeling more in control of their lives and having a more positive view of themselves.

2.1.7 A Living Environment for the Aged in a Home with a Relation to a Community

Living environments for the elderly can be stated to satisfy their needs from the point at which they are retired but still fully capable of caring for themselves in independent residences to the point at which they require the most care and attention in sheltered housing.

Cost considerations must constrain the scope of schemes. Still, the fundamentals that must be met in the design are those of creating a setting where the elderly can be and feel as comfortable as possible, be able to stay in touch with their relatives, and take an interest in matters about them without having to make long trips or be exposed to dangers like traffic and other risks. The good associations with the environment from which the older person has come must be made in the perfect living space, and it's crucial to prevent generating an unfamiliar new world mood.

1. The Building Site

Single-story Construction is frequently feasible in small towns and villages. It has the significant advantages of being simple to access and providing direct connections between the apartments and the garden. Even if remote areas are stunning, it is best to avoid them because few older people choose to live alone. The location must be convenient to community centers, churches, entertainment, bus lines, and, last but not least, public health and medical services. Small, amiable establishments willing to provide a personal service are preferred. The ideal location should be accessible without steep stairs or access paths, be in a sheltered area, and be suitable for Construction. Walking to stores, etc., should not require climbing and descending hills. A park, especially one with activities like a playground for kids, typically makes a friendly neighbor since it offers possibilities for a stroll and adds life and intrigue. Thought must be given to the occasional requirement for stretcher access to all units without excessively disturbing the inhabitants in general. Easy access for vehicles is necessary.

2. Design & Planning Principles at a Detail Level

The planning requirements for a small town with residential-style homes, or as we may say, just like another neighborhood for the elderly, are:

· Compactness and small size for convenience.

· Fireproof Construction was intended for optimal safety.

· Reducing the difficulties and effort associated with daily tasks like housework.

· Pleasantness, "livability," and the impact of spaciousness.

· Very high privacy levels.

· As far as feasible, mechanical and electrical services should be set up so that maintenance is performed from circulation areas rather than residents' rooms. This is especially important for plumbing and waste systems, where ducts with access from the hallways are helpful.

· While the elderly enjoy the sunshine and want to be able to view outside, they do not enjoy the feeling of exposure that can be caused by excessive fenestration. Additionally, some older folks need protection from glare due to eye issues.

· As some older people get out of bed reasonably frequently throughout the night, which might disturb their neighbors, bedrooms or besetting rooms should be constructed with strong sound insulation between units, both horizontally and vertically.

3. Materials and Maintenance

· Fitted carpets throughout the bedroom and living areas, including dining rooms, sitting rooms, and related circulation, add comfort.

· The building should be designed for minimal maintenance, not only to keep down the cost of upkeep but also to assist in the easy running of the premises.

· Additionally, these prevent older people from tripping on mat and carpet edges and significantly save cleaning expenses.

· Individual housing units typically get redecoration after they become vacant to prepare for new occupants. To make painting and paper quick and affordable, the surfaces that require care in this way should be kept basic and accessible. Avoiding an institutional aspect while designing the structure requires using classic materials, which evoke security, permanence, and timelessness.

4. Residents' Accommodation

· Entrance hall: 20 sqm. This area should be sufficient to allow sitting space for ten.

· Residents can view activity without preventing free circulation.

Bed-sitting room: This space will be discovered to be the bare minimum within which it is conceivable to accommodate a bed, a dressing table, a chair, an easy chair, and one additional object like a television. Kitchen recesses in single-room flat rentals must be sized correspondingly larger. Once more, this space is the absolute minimum. Since two people sharing a room need enough room to move around, expanding it even for the most basic requirements, similar to those mentioned for the single room above, is preferable. A living room is required if a couple intends to utilize their home for reasons other than sleeping there.

General purpose room: 6.50 sqm. This area is used for laundry, ironing, and other household chores that individuals can do independently. In most cases, a larger space is needed than the minimum specified. On average, there should be one utility room for every fifteen older individuals.

Dining areas: The number of persons that will be served determines the size of the dining area. Furniture, such as tables, chairs, buffets, cabinets, and service tables, and the quantity of space needed for serving and passing.

· Give 21 to 24 inches for each individual at the table. The minimum table size for eight adults to sit comfortably, three on each side and one at each end, is 40 inches by 72 inches. The minimum table size for six adults to sit comfortably, with two on each side and one at each end, is 36 inches by 60 inches.

· Despite the dining table's size or design, there should be a specific minimum clearance around it. To squeeze past a sitting individual, leave 36 inches between the table and a wall or piece of furniture. While rising from a chair at the table requires 32 inches, serving requires 44 inches from the table to the wall.

Floors: Every floor surface, inside and outside the basic living unit, must be non-slip. Due to the psychological risk, seeming slipperiness is just as significant in this context as actual slipperiness. This is especially relevant to the design of lobbies and other public places, which frequently spend a lot of money on shiny surfaces that could or might not be non-slip. Unglazed tile, cork, vinyl, and vinyl-asbestos tiles are suitable flooring options. Unwaxed wood floors are especially ideal for wheelchair users. Floors should be level and smooth, with particular attention needed when installing highly jointed materials like ceramic tile, brick, or stone. Every effort should be made to eliminate floor-level changes and door thresholds.

Leisure areas: The elderly are typically retired, so having a cozy and appealing living space is crucial. These areas need to be designed with extra care because they are often utilized and frequently tend to be relatively tiny. It would be ideal for including built-in shelving and storage areas and additional window seats for plants.

Sitting:

· In general, older people like to reside in a location with easy access to a garden or balcony so that

· They must be close to businesses, churches, and civic amenities.

· Suppose older people's housing is located in high-rise apartment buildings. In that case, a location on or near the lowest level should be considered so that inhabitants can quickly enter and exit the building.

· Generally, life should be supplied if older people are housed above the first-floor level.

Bath and Toilet:

· Every bath should have "grips" to help residents enter and exit. To make usage as simple as possible, the type of bath should be carefully considered.

· In addition to regular bathtubs, there should be sufficient room on both sides so that two persons may assist the disabled in entering and exiting. For people unable to use a full-length tub, there should also be "sits" baths and showers for those who prefer them or can only bathe while seated at bench height.

· A vertical rod set up from the floor to the ceiling that people may grab hand over hand as they rise from the bath is a helpful aid for individuals with a lot of trouble standing back up. These ought to be installed between 800 and 850 millimeters high.

· Taps should be a sort that persons with weak grips may readily turn. The minimum bathroom space for fifteen people is 7.50 sqm; if a toilet and washbasin are added, an extra 1.9 sqm of space is necessary. A section of bathrooms should be more significant to accommodate two people who can help residents get in and out of the bath. While locals like bathroom doors that open inward. There should be a way to open them outwardly in an emergency while keeping them open inwardly, like in a typical home. The minimal space provided has been deemed generous, and some senior housing facilities owned by trusts and nonprofit organizations offer fewer spaces.

Windows: The view from your windows should be fascinating whenever possible. The height of the windows is crucial in senior homes, especially in the living room, dining room, and bedroom. Many older people spend their days sitting and gazing out the window.

Dining areas: The seating height in dining spaces determines the eye-level zone—the window sill maybe 2 feet, six inches above the ground. The fixed size determines the eye level zone for the kitchen and bathroom. The window opening should be between 3'6" and 6'Sin from the ground.

Bedrooms: One window in a bedroom needs to be low enough to allow someone in bed to look out. A modest window brightens the space and serves as an escape route in an emergency. The recommended eye-level zone for the dining area may also be used in the bedrooms. It is preferable to position apertures sporadically than to create a consistent light distribution through window configurations.

Select windows that are simple to utilize. Double-hung windows are acceptable, except above the bathtub and other comparable areas. However, windows that are opened and closed by turning a crank are simpler to operate in awkward locations. So that the outer side of the glass may be rotated and washed from the inside, many windows have been made to reverse. Depending on the location and temperature, insect screens, weatherstripping, and storm sashes must be offered for all windows. The best orientation is toward the south; shade equipment should be provided. Because picking up a release shade can be dangerous, roller shades should be avoided. It is best to use drew-style drapes or Venetian blinds.

Doors & hardware: For the convenience of those using wheelchairs, stretchers, and crutches, door openings should be three feet wide. Thresholds should be removed, and precautions should be made to ensure that the doors fit correctly and do not stick. Bathroom doors shouldn't have locks; instead, offer simple latches. Lever handles or large, simple-to-grasp doorknobs should be utilized. Avoid using automatic door closers and revolving and double-acting doors because they are particularly harmful. Outside doors in projects should have master keys, and all equipment that can't be operated from the outside should be forbidden. Peepholes or view panels are also a good idea. In compact apartments, sliding doors save valuable space and remove the risk of tripping over partially open doors.

Communication & alarm system: Any structure used only to house senior citizens should have an automated fire alarm. It is preferable to offer some signaling system so that older people may call for aid because of the problems many older people encounter in bedrooms and bathrooms, especially at night. Typically, the resident manager's or superintendent's suite or an adjacent apartment will hear the device. Since many seniors cannot afford a private phone, it may also be helpful to have a conveniently situated public phone booth in buildings or projects dedicated entirely to the elderly. But when it's installed, put a phone in a good spot close to the beds. Multiple exits would be

beneficial.

Vertical circulation: When practical, senior housing should be on one level and, barring the usage of elevators, on the ground floor. The elderly shouldn't be asked to climb more than one flight of stairs in low buildings without elevators. Stairs should not be used for minor, inevitable level changes; instead, ramps with a flat slope of no more than 5% are recommended. The following precautions should be followed when using stairs:

· Risers should not be more than Tin height.

· The proper proportion of run to rise should be carefully observed.

· Fewer than two risers should be avoided.

· Winders or curved treads should never be used.

· Non-slip nosing should be used and should be of a contrasting color

· Continuous handrails should be provided on both sides of the stairs.

· Handrails should be of the proper height, of a cross-section, which is easily grasped, and

o Sturdy in appearance as well as in fact

o Stairs should not be less than 3ft 3in. in clear width.

o No doors should open directly on the stairs.

o Some special considerations should also be observed.

Sound control: While acoustic isolation is required in every structure, senior living may need it more than other residential settings. The elderly greatly desire to maintain their privacy and security during their downtime and in the event of illness. The noise of youngsters seems to bother older people more than others.

Lighting: The light should be around double what is typically utilized in household practice. Light sources need to be protected at all times. Because of the risks involved in maintaining the lights and changing the bulbs, ceiling-mounted lighting is not advised. It is strongly recommended to design lighting schemes such that lights may always be turned on from a doorbell, as was already said. Wall switches should control all light fixtures. In bedrooms or sleeping areas, switched outlets are crucial to prevent older people from stumbling around in the dark while seeking the switch or after turning off the light. Install a convenient outlet for a nightlight between the bed and the bathroom. A nightlight in a prominent place is frequently helpful, as are illuminated switchplates. Never place a convenience store below 18 inches from the ground (30 to 40in. above the floor is preferable). Light up the entry wall so that any steps (if there) can be seen clearly and keyholes may be seen.

Ventilation: Low-level cold air droughts should be avoided to allow for adequate airflow without discomfort, and the interaction between fenestration and heat should be carefully researched.

Artificial lighting: Tungsten lights have often been deemed to be far more preferable than fluorescent ones. It is beneficial to have a permanent bed light, and besetting rooms should have lights that can be turned off from both the bed and the door.

It is advised to have 150 lax of general illumination and 300 lax of lighting in kitchens and spaces utilized for close work, such as stitching. All electrical outlets intended for resident usage should be raised to an easily accessible elevation, such as 1 m off the ground.

Meet The Author

Mahmuda Yasmin Dola

B. Arch, Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, Khulna, Bangladesh Architect | Analytical Practitioner

Head of Construction, ADORA Studios, Bangladesh

CMO & Head of Construction, SS Construction & Power Solution, Bangladesh

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