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Physical Environmental Evaluation of a Care Village in Comox

Habib Chaudhury Scientist, Advancing Health Chair and Professor, Department of Gerontology, SFU Ziying Zhang PhD Candidate, Department of Gerontology, SFU Physical Environmental Evaluation of a Care Village in Comox, British Columbia: Pre-Relocation Findings The physical environment in long-term care homes is a key component in providing quality care and support for the residents. The first publicly funded care home in British Columbia based on the “dementia village” model, will offer a neighbourhood environment with familiar places and destinations. As part of a broader evaluation project, we have conducted baseline evaluation of the physical environment in the existing traditional care home and planned post-relocation evaluation in the new village-model based care home. Standardized environmental assessments, observations, and staff focus groups were used in the existing dementia care unit to generate comprehensive and in-depth understanding. The baseline evaluation revealed challenges in the unit's physical design, space use, and care practices. The long corridor impeded residents' wayfinding abilities and increased exit-seeking behaviors. Residents experienced difficulties orienting themselves in moving between the common space and bedrooms. The residents also experienced “toileting disempowerment” as they received little support from staff to use the common washroom or go to their private washrooms. The care model, along with understaffing, influenced the use of the common space that served as dining and activity areas. Staff reported they did not have time to move residents to adjacent secondary spaces for activities, even though the large common area created high levels of social and environmental stimulation. Staff subdivided the space into three sub-areas to match residents’ functioning status/abilities. The spaces had several artifacts, yet residents rarely interacted with the props, except the holiday decorations that served as stimuli for conversations and activities.