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Home and The Home: An Ethnographic Exploration of a Familial Home and Residential Institution for Dementia Care

Part 2 Dissertation 2024
Charlotte Woodfield
Cardiff University | UK
Addressing the urgent need for exploration into the architectural realities shaping the lives of individuals with middle-stage dementia, this dissertation investigates the seldom-discussed yet critically important environments of familial homes and care homes.

At its heart, this research confronts a pivotal question: how can the architectural design of care homes improve the well-being of persons with middle-stage dementia? Through a comparative analysis, immersive qualitative methods were employed – ethnographic sketches, walking interviews, and environmental analysis – to uncover the nuances of these two care environments. Grounded in a framework for dementia-friendly design, this study engaged respondents closely associated with the person of interest (POI) while ensuring their voices are heard without direct interaction with the POI.

The findings drew attention to four architectural spaces or elements and to their design consideration that aspire to revolutionise care environments: accessible outdoor spaces; familiar living spaces; dynamic dining areas; personalised bedrooms.

This dissertation is a clear call to action, advocating for architecture that speaks to the human experience and the pressing needs of our time. In a world where the demand for compassionate and innovative care solutions is more pressing than ever, this work aspires to promote meaningful change.

Charlotte Woodfield

Tutor(s)
Sam Clark
2024
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