Effects of environmental agents on social behavior of geriatric residents in an institution dining room

Abstract

Because of the current low birth rate and advances in medicine, nutrition, and general living conditions, it is predicted that by the year 2040 over 21 % of the population will be aged 65 years or older (1990, U.S. Census). This type of growth in the senior segment places new responsibilities on architects, interior designers, planners, and health care professionals to examine health promoting and research-informed design. This analysis follows a study by Rice, Talbot, and Stern (1 980), altering it for appropriateness for a geriatric population. Behavior of geriatric residents in a retirement community is assessed in accordance with minor changes made in their dining room environment. Observed behavior included the amount of time residents spent in the dining room, the number of times a resident was seen speaking to another resident, and the amount of food eaten at each meal. The study consisted of six phases. During Phase 1, Phase 111, and Phase V, the baseline phases, nothing was changed in the environment. However, during Phase 11, flowers in vases were added to the tables. During Phase IV, candles in small glass globes were added, while in Phase VI, place mats were arranged on the tables. During the flower and candle phases, talking increased significantly (in Phase I p<.05 and in Phase IV p<.Ol) while there were trends shown for the residents to stay in the dining room longer and to eat a little less than on weeks of the baseline phases. This study illustrates that even simple and inexpensive environmental changes can influence residents' behavior.