It’s no secret to health care professionals that well-designed spaces contribute directly to the well-being of patients. That’s why Carleton University students have developed a host of innovative designs for an aging population in long-term care facilities.
Partnering with Cummer Lodge in Toronto, master’s students from Carleton’s Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism led by Prof. Federica Goffi – with the help of two grad students in the School of Social Work – developed a book (See Attachment) full of insightful and creative design solutions to many issues that some decades-old facilities face and the impediments to a better life for residents, their family and staff.
The 12 projects include a fresh take on public spaces by incorporating wood in various forms like ceiling pieces to diffuse sound, central nursing stations, playful continuous handrails to stimulate sensory navigation, taller windows letting in more light and ventilation, and therapeutic baths.
This is a top-notch collaborative educational project among two disciplines and Cummer Lodge which provides a blueprint for other facilities as Canada’s baby boomers age and require care. Cummer Lodge has a special care unit with 32 beds, home to residents with diagnoses within the dementia spectrum, Huntington’s disease and/or a diagnosis of mental illness. Creating a home-like atmosphere is important to the facility.
Carleton can provide many more high-resolution photos of the projects and interview access to faculty, students and Cummer Lodge officials.
Please let us know if you are interested in finding out more about this unique project.
Download the book put together as part of this project.
About Cummer Lodge:
Cummer Lodge is one of 10 long-term care homes operated by the City of Toronto’s Long-Term Care Homes and Services. For further information visit: http://www.toronto.ca/ltc/cummer.htm.
About Carleton University:
Located in the nation’s capital, Carleton University is a dynamic research and teaching institution with a tradition of leading change. Its internationally recognized faculty, staff and researchers provide more than 25,000 full- and part-time students from every province and more than 100 countries around the world with academic opportunities in more than 65 programs of study, including public affairs, journalism, film studies, engineering, high technology, and international studies. Carleton’s creative, interdisciplinary and international approach to research has led to many significant discoveries and creative works in science and technology, business, governance, public policy and the arts. As an innovative institution Carleton is uniquely committed to developing solutions to real-world problems by pushing the boundaries of knowledge and understanding daily.
For more information:
Caitlin Kealey
Media relations
Carleton University
(613) 520-2600, ext. 8718
Caitlin_Kealey@carleton.ca
Monday, March 19, 2012 in News Releases
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