Architectural acoustics in residences for adults with mental retardation and its relation to perceived homelikeness

Unlimited Surrounding: A Scoping Review on the Impact of the Built Environment on Health, Behavior, and Quality of Life of Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities in Long-Term Care

OBJECTIVES

To identify available literature on the impact of built environments on health, behavior, and quality of life of individuals with intellectual disabilities in long-term care. Additionally, we aimed to map the available literature, (re)frame the overall research situation in this area, and formulate recommendations.

BACKGROUND

Long-term care facilities in the Netherlands are planned without using knowledge from research regarding evidence-based design because it is unclear what evidence is available about the impact of long-term care built environments on individuals with intellectual disabilities receiving 24/7 care.

METHODS

Twelve scientific databases were searched for keyword combinations. After systematically screening 3,095 documents, 276 were included in the analysis.

RESULTS

There is an underrepresentation of research and publications in intellectual disabilities, compared to other user groups living in long-term care facilities. A total of 26 design components were found in all groups; as for intellectual disabilities, research was available on only seven of them. Community care, home-likeness, and variety seem to have a positive effect on health, behavior, and quality of life. There are conflicting results regarding the effects of house size.

CONCLUSIONS

Although individuals with intellectual disabilities live in long-term care facilities, sometimes for life, little research has been conducted on the impact of the built environment on them. In the future, more empirical research should be conducted, addressing all aspects of quality of life and specific design components, with hypotheses based on needs assessments and the use of good research designs. This requires an investment of time and funding.

Impact of Design on Emotional, Psychological, or Social Well-Being for People With Cognitive Impairment

AIM

The objective of this article is to identify and analyze what is known about characteristics in and around the home that support well-being for those with cognitive impairment. This could provide direction for designers of homes in general, but specifically for designers trying to meet the needs of people with cognitive impairment.

BACKGROUND

It has been established that there is a relationship between psychological well-being and a person's environment. Research also shows that particular design aspects can reduce the impact of cognitive impairment. However, there is limited design expertise in the Australian housing market to create supportive spaces which will help to reduce the impact of the disability for those with cognitive impairment.

METHOD

A literature review was carried out to determine the extent and details of what is known about the relationship of home design and its impact on emotional, psychological, or social well-being for people with cognitive impairment.

CONCLUSIONS

The study indicates that researchers in various disciplines understand that pragmatic design inputs such as thermal comfort and adequate lighting are important for people with cognitive impairment. In addition, some researchers have shown or surmise that there are other "intangible" designer-controlled elements that have beneficial impacts on people with cognitive impairment. Details of these intangible elements are sparse, and how much they might improve the quality of life for a person with cognitive impairment is not well understood. Further research is required to meet a growing need.

Hearing aids: expectations and satisfaction of people with an intellectual disability, a descriptive pilot study

BACKGROUND

In spite of an increased risk of hearing impairment in persons with an intellectual disability (ID), rehabilitation with hearing aids often fails. We performed a descriptive pilot study with the following study questions: 1 Do comparable elements as in the general population contribute to expectations of and satisfaction with hearing aids in adults with mild or moderate IDs? 2 To what extent do adults with an ID depend on carers in use and maintenance of hearing aids?

METHOD

STUDY POPULATION

16 adults with a mild or moderate ID and a recent diagnosis of hearing impairment. Method: information by means of specially designed booklets; semi-structured interviews prior to hearing aid fitting and 6 months afterwards.

ANALYSIS

descriptive.

RESULTS

In total, 14/16 participants were able to give reliable answers. Most were aware of their hearing loss and familiar with reasons for hearing aids. A minority expressed positive expectations. Some expressed explicit wishes on the looks of hearing aids. All satisfaction domains as described for the general population could be recognized. Most participants were partially or totally dependent on carers in use and maintenance of hearing aids.

CONCLUSIONS

Adults with ID may have explicit ideas and wishes about hearing aids and, if specifically asked, are capable of expressing these. Given information should be checked and repeated. In satisfaction with hearing aids, comparable elements may play a role as in the general population: benefit, cosmetics, sound quality/acoustics, comfort/ease of use, and service delivery. These findings, however, are from a small-scale study. Additional research is necessary to find out whether they are applicable more generally.

The role of residential homelikeness in promoting community participation by adults with mental retardation

We tested the influence of (1) the homelike appearance of residences, (2) residential staff-members' attitudes about people with mental retardation and (3) Client IQ on the number of activities adults clients with mental retardation conducted in their community. We tested the hypothesis these three variables exerted their influence by promoting positive staff-member interactions with clients. This was assessed by measuring the duration of Staff-initiated Social Interactions with residential clients. In our initial path model, Residential Homelikeness, Positive Staff Attitudes and Client IQ had no significant direct effect on Community Activities. In the final model, however, Residential Homelikeness and Positive Staff Attitudes exerted a statistically significant influence on Staff-initiated Social Interactions with clients, which in turn, exerted a statistically significant influence on Community Activities. This model illustrated: (1) the nearly equal influence of Staff Attitudes and architectural characteristics on Staff-initiated Interactions; and (2) the role of Staff-initiated Interactions in mediating the influence of Residential Homelikeness on community participation by adults with developmental disabilities.