Another Demansion
Insight into the life of people with Young Onset Dementia and their relatives in order to design a care home facilitating them in their well-being
N. de Vette (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
E. Miedema – Mentor (TU Delft - Teachers of Practice / A)
J.W. Lafeber – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Teachers of Practice / AE+T)
L.M. Oorschot – Graduation committee member
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Abstract
Dementia is a familiar brain disorder, generally seen as a disease of the elderly and care homes are designed as such. However, also people between 30 and 65 can get dementia, called Young Onset Dementia and are overlooked now in architecture. Due to the different life stage in which the disease occurs, these mainstream facilities do not fit their needs, resulting in a decreased quality of life. It is already known how to design a dementia friendly environment, what the different course and impact of Young Onset Dementia is and which supporting facilities in the first stages at home are needed. Knowledge about architecture for later stages of Young Onset Dementia is lacking. This thesis therefore identifies the spatial needs of this target group and their relatives, in order to design a care home that facilitates them in maintaining their quality of life. Important outcomes of their spatial needs are having a purpose, physical activity, social interaction with peers, having a break and expressing dividual elements. These are not met in reality and the institutional setting of care homes are founded to be not suitable too. Provided guidelines for designing a care home for people with Young Onset Dementia therefore focus on dignity and activity. It is important for them to keep an as normal way of living, where young people with dementia and their relatives are brought together and to have a meaningful day and activities.