The influence of the built environment in enacting a household model of residential aged care for people living with a mental health condition: A qualitative post-occupancy evaluation

Phillippa Carnemolla; Deborah Debono; Fleur Hourihan; Suyin Hor; Hamish Robertson; Jo Travaglia

doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102624

The influence of the built environment in enacting a household model of residential aged care for people living with a mental health condition: A qualitative post-occupancy evaluation

Health Place. 2021 Sep:71:102624. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102624. Epub 2021 Jul 23.

Authors

Phillippa Carnemolla¹, Deborah Debono², Fleur Hourihan³, Suyin Hor⁴, Hamish Robertson⁵, Jo Travaglia⁶

Affiliations

¹ School of Built Environment; Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building; University of Technology Sydney; Harris St, Ultimo, NSW 2007 Australia. Electronic address: Phillippa.carnemolla@uts.edu.au.
² Centre for Health Services Management, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Harris St, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia. Electronic address: deborah.debono@uts.edu.au.
³ Research & Ethics Specialist, Uniting, Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia. Electronic address: fhourihan@uniting.org.
⁴ Centre for Health Services Management, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Harris St, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia. Electronic address: Suyin.hor@uts.edu.au.
⁵ Centre for Health Services Management, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Harris St, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia. Electronic address: hamish.robertson@uts.edu.au.
⁶ Centre for Health Services Management, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Harris St, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia. Electronic address: joanne.travaglia@uts.edu.au.

PMID: 34311290
DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102624

Abstract

This study undertakes a spatial analysis of an Australian aged care setting where residents receive person-centred support in a specially-designed home-like environment. Focus groups were conducted with staff to explore the impact of the built environment in a new residential aged care setting that has implemented a Household Model of care for people living with mental health conditions. Drawing on Actor-Network Theory and proxemics, we mapped how the built environment supports improved behaviours and care practices in four areas: food preparation and dining, sleep and self-care, site layout, and relationships.

Keywords: Actor network theory; Aged care; Architecture; Gerontology; Household model; Mental health; Person-centred; Proxemics; Urban planning.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
Australia
Built Environment*
Delivery of Health Care
Focus Groups
Humans
Mental Health*