| Title |
A Study on the Architectural Characteristics of Dementia Units |
| Keywords |
Dementia Unit ; Wandering ; Middle Corridor ; Core |
| Abstract |
The purpose of this study is to identify the characteristics of the physical setting in dementia units.?? The data was collected from 6 dementia units in Jeolla and Gyeongsang provinces, from 2003 to 2004 by interview, photo, and documents about the facilities.??The findings revealed that firstly, horizontal core system is not appropriate to the long-term care units due to long corridor which give people with dementia disorientation.??Secondly, the plan of the sample dementia units showed various peculiar types but most of the dementia units had middle corridors in order to concentrate the spaces around the corridors.?? This is a trend of the dementia units in South Korea.??Thirdly, even though some of the dementia units had wandering pathways in the garden, there are no safe fences in the garden, which protect people with dementia going outside.??It is suggested that architectural factors found in the study can be used to the planing of the new dementia unit. |