Long-Term Residential Care and the Built Environment: Improving Quality of Life and Resilience Through a Universal Design Approach.

This paper draws on a series of transdisciplinary research projects examining the role of the built environment in supporting quality of life in long-term residential care settings (LTRC) in Ireland. Acknowledging the impact of COVID-19, these projects include airborne infection control as a key theme. Moreover, considering the wide spectrum of needs, impairment, and health conditions experienced by people living in these settings, along with the diversity of residents, staff, and visitors who occupy LTRC buildings, the research is underpinned by a Universal Design (UD) approach.

Residential Long-Term Care and the Built Environment: Balancing Quality of Life and Infection Control.

Objectives: This article explores expert insights into residential long-term care (RLTC), specifically regarding the built environment, its impact on infection control (IC) measures and on resident, staff, and family member quality of life.

Design: The interviews discussed in this report form part of a larger mixed methods research design, examining the planning, design, and operation of RLTC. Specifically, this report discusses findings from one aspect of this research, a series of semistructured interviews.

Dementia Friendly Hospital Design: Key Issues for Patients and Accompanying Persons in an Irish Acute Care Public Hospital.

Objectives: Research was conducted to investigate the impact of the hospital environment on older people including patients with dementia and their accompanying persons (APs). The article presents key research findings in the case study hospital.

Background: For many patients, the hospital is challenging due to the busy, unfamiliar, and stressful nature of the environment.