Elderly Care by Design event offers global perspective
Wednesday 25 November 2009 12:15 AM
 Calls for innovative design solutions that respond to the changing and growing needs of ageing populations around the world will be led by the UK’s National Clinical Director for Older People at a new international symposium and workshop.
The part played by design in facilitating the critical but often neglected role of social interaction in preserving the health and wellbeing of older people will be one of the key messages delivered by Dr Finbarr Martin in his opening address at Elderly Care by Design 2010. Designing Environments for Independent Living.
Organised by the International Academy for Design & Health at London Southbank University on 18 February, Dr Martin will be joined by some of the leading researchers and practitioners in the world to explore how better designed housing projects, hospitals, care homes and other residential environments can support independent living in old age.
Founder of the Academy and one of the speakers, Prof Alan Dilani said: “Attitudes and perspectives on ageing are changing. A health conscious and well-educated generation with new and different points of reference is emerging. More prosperous societies are also creating opportunities for people to lead an active and rich life far into old age.”
With incidences of dementia forecast to rise to over one million in the UK in the next ten years, one of the world’s leading authorities on Alzheimer’s Disease, Dr John Zeisel, founder and president of Hearthstone Alzheimer’s Care and author of ‘I’m Still Here’ will present his breakthrough ideas on understanding people with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Prof Dilani commented: “People with dementia progressively lose their coping abilities and perceive their environment as more stressful, resulting in anxiety and behavioural syndromes that require constant supervision. If the environment fails to support their specific needs, the person may become disorientated, be unable to express their needs and show signs of agitated and disruptive behaviour.
“Evidence shows that problematic behaviour in people with dementia is strongly related to the degree to which residential environments fulfil their needs. A combination of pharmacologic, behavioural, and environmental approaches are needed to sustain their retained abilities and to reduce problems such as verbal and behavioural agitation, depression, and social withdrawal.”
Chaired by Architects for Health chairman, John Cooper, the interdisciplinary event will be attended by architects, designers & health planners, nursing & care home managers, charities & elderly support groups, PCT/SHA trust management, general practitioners, Senior community nurses / health visitors, mental health & dementia specialists, estates & facilities managers, directors of health and social services, service user involvement leads, and product & service suppliers.
Click here for more information and to register.
|
|