Geriatric Care at the Intersection of Medicine and Architecture

Overview:

Healthcare design’s recent revolution towards improved patient well-being and care delivery has remained similar for several decades. Can we disrupt our current design thinking by combining medicine and architecture in order to reinvent some best practice design trends for an aging community?

By combining the knowledge of geriatric medicine and physical environmental design, the focus on prevention, rehabilitation, and independent living can allow for the building itself to become the fourth healer in addition to the patient, their family members and the clinical care team.

Webinar Feedback from Geriatricians, Clinical Staff and Administrators:

“Some of the topics presented have been things I’ve wondered about or thought myself. So this webinar has given me more confidence to suggest changes and to share this same info to others.”

“I will consider this information when doing any type of renovation or furniture purchase for our hospital. With limited funding, we can be creative in how we improve our space to meet the needs of our patients.”

“I will look for opportunities to take patients to windows and more nature friendly spaces when in my care and as much as possible.”

“I may consider approaching the patient differently. I will pass on the information to my CEO. We are currently in the process of building a new hospital and I think the information was amazing.”

“I will consider different options in areas where there is no window or natural light.”

“I will try to remember the inherent dangers that hospitals pose for patients (e.g., infections, falls, de-conditioning, pressure sores, etc) and try to always emphasize prevention over treatment.”