Building control automation for retirement homes: a therapeutic opportunity for the elderly

The therapeutic opportunity for the elderly due to building control automation use in a retirement home was investigated. Previous research suggests that a basic understanding of elderly functional needs and building control automation capabilities is required Ifn order to secure the opportunity for maintaining existing elderly functional abilities. This study explores the extent to which building control automation can be applied in retirement homes. The research questions generated for this study were: To what extent is the success of building control automation dependent on the level of demand by residents, staff, and administration? How can elderly of varying disabilities interact with and around what building control automation features? How can building control automation support elderly independence and minimize the need for relocation to a higher level of care? What type(s) of building control automation will either promote independence or threaten it? A nurse aide questionnaire was used to identify the nurse aide's perception of the retirement home environment, residents' activities, and issues of elderly well-being. A resident questionnaire addressed residents needs and desires to maintain independent living with assistance of building control automation. And lastly, participant observation was used to reveal unique aspects of the physical environment and activities in questionnaire responses.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Product Research and Design

Department dc:contributor.department

Product Research and Design

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

1993

Author dc:creator

• Avila, Melinda Plaza

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Schubert, Robert P.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Beamish, Julia O.
• Lichtman, Marilyn V.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

etd-07282008-135840

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/43923