Prilagajanje grajenega bivalnega okolja za potrebe starejših ljudi

Adapting the built living environment for the needs of older people

Author(s):

Boštjan Kerbler

Abstract:

Due to ageing of the population, developed countries are dealing with increasing needs in providing adequate residential care for older people and (with this) demands in providing appropriate social and services for the elderly. This article assumes that these needs could be reduced with the physical (re)design of the built living environment, by which elderly people would be given the opportunity to remain in their home environments as long as possible, capable of independently living with as high a quality of life as possible. Three approaches are presented and critically evaluated: adaptation of the living environment according to the principles of design for all, arrangement of living environments in the smart (intelligent) environment based on the assistive technologies, integration of the living environment into a remote monitoring network. It turns out that despite the advantages and opportunities of the built environment redesigning many weaknesses, risks and dilemmas appear. In the conclusion, some ideas are presented on how approaches discussed could be implemented in practice.

Keywords:

ageing of population, living environment, design for all, smart environment, telecare

DOI: 10.15292/geodetski-vestnik.2011.01.057-069

Citation:

Boštjan Kerbler (2011). Prilagajanje grajenega bivalnega okolja za potrebe starejših ljudi. | Adapting the built living environment for the needs of older people. Geodetski vestnik, 55 (1), 57-69. DOI: 10.15292/geodetski-vestnik.2011.01.057-069