1. Living Environments
HPR 452
Chapter 10

2. We often limit the concept of “environment” to the outdoors
“Environment” is basically anywhere activities occur – “All aspects of the world around us”
A primary location of much of an individual’s leisure is in the home
Older individuals spend most of their time in their home – 80% of a typical day – 19 hrs

3. Extending beyond the home is central to healthy aging
Environmental psychology studies individuals’ interaction and relationship with their environment
Environmental gerontology studies this in later years
Ambient environment – sound, temperature, illumination, odor (sensory factors) which influence well-being

4. How do these factors affect you?
Blue is restful
Red stimulates adrenaline
Green is restful and calming
Orange is similar to red
Yellow makes rooms appear larger and used for important messages
Noise and crowds impact behavior

5. Environment is very important in LTC facilities
“Autonomy – Security” concept
Autonomy – perceived freedom and independent action
Security – physical safety and psychological peace of mind
Both are important for happiness in later years
Older individuals have fear of crime, falling, accidents, etc so modifications must be made

6. Environments with high security levels have lower level of privacy, independence, and choice
Person-Environment Fit Model – Demands and Characteristics of the environment are congruent with the needs, preferences, and ability of the individual

7. The importance of maintaining one’s home is important
When demands of an environment and an individual’s competence is out of balance
Individuals are stressed or bored
The importance of maintaining one’s home is important
The sense of “being at home” is very important for older individuals
LTC environments should provide a sense of “home”

8. Also a need for a stimulating environment – Social interaction, activities, challenge
Much of this can compensate for losses
What do you do to make where you live more “homelike?” (Give you a sense of “ownership)
Older individuals need this also

9. “People Effect” Type of people Number of people
Type of interaction which occurs
Amount of interaction
Norms of behavior

10. “Thing Effect” Physical – furniture, temperature, wall color (ambient)
Non-physical – privacy and territoriality
Territoriality – we need space we can call our own (privacy and safety)