Lost in a Nursing Home

Abstract

Many people with senile dementia living in a home for the elderly or a nursing home have problems with finding their way. To a large extent these problems are caused by cognitive and perceptual impairments. Another important factor is the influence of the built environ-ment. The design of many buildings and outdoor spaces provides insufficient environmental support for route learning, wayfinding and topographical memory. A review of the literature on spatial orientation shows that many guidelines can be provided to reduce disorientation. However, little empirical research has been done into the effects of these guidelines.Accepted manuscriptReal Estate Managemen