Ecological layout and strategies in nursing home design: designing new dining spaces for the elderly in nursing homes

Abstract

This study aims to design dining spaces in nursing homes that are suitable for elderly use. By analyzing the dietary culture of Wenzhou, the living habits and needs of the elderly, the study proposes optimized design solutions. The research is based on environmental psychology, universal design principles, and ergonomic theories, using methods such as field research, interviews, questionnaires, and spatial analysis to comprehensively understand the needs of the elderly regarding dining spaces.

In Wenzhou, the dietary culture positively affects the social and psychological health of the elderly. Designing dining spaces that incorporate local culture can enhance the quality of life and well-being of the elderly. The results show that Wenzhou's dietary culture emphasizes family and group dining, which helps enhance social interaction among the elderly, reduce loneliness, and improve psychological health.In terms of design strategies, the research recommends adopting human-centered design principles, providing various seating options, adjusting lighting and sound systems, and using easy-to-clean materials to improve the usability of nursing home dining spaces. Additionally, the design needs to be flexible in addressing natural conditions, such as using technological means (e.g., online social platforms) to compensate for the lack of face-to-face interaction under social distancing requirements, thereby maintaining social connections and emotional exchanges among the elderly.

Through an in-depth study of Wenzhou's dietary culture, combined with environmental psychology and universal design principles, this paper proposes optimized design solutions for nursing home dining spaces. These solutions not only address the physiological needs of the elderly but also focus on their psychological needs, striving to create a safe, comfortable, and culturally rich dining environment for the elderly. The research results indicate that measures such as optimizing space layout, increasing accessibility, and using eco-friendly materials can significantly improve the dining experience and quality of life for the elderly.

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