Universal Design for Improving Quality of Life and Enhancing COVID-19 Infection Control in existing Residential Care Settings for Older People

Research Pillar: Healthy and Inclusive Places

Project Name/Title/Acronym: Universal Design for Improving Quality of Life and Enhancing COVID-19 Infection Control in existing Residential Care Settings for Older People

Funding Body: Centre for Excellence in Universal Design

Project Partners: CEUD, TrinityHaus and Tallaght University Hospital

Project Timeframe: 2021-2022

Key Output(s): Research report and guidelines : See here.

Project Description:

Recent research shows that residential long-term care (RLTC) settings have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. COVID-19, like many other airborne infectious diseases, has serioues implications for spatial practices and the design of the built environment (Megahed and Ghoneim, 2020; Oppel, 2020). In this regard and considering the toll that COVID-19 has taken on RLTC settings, it is important that the layout, design, and physical environment of these settings is carefully examined to determine the role and impact of the built environment on COVID-19 infections. The project was initiated and completed during the COVID-19 pandemic and focuses on existing residential long-term care settings (RLTC) for older people in Ireland.

Specifically, this project examines how the built environment in these settings can be adapted and retroffit to: a) enhance the quality of life for residents, b) improve the visitor experience for friends and family members (without compromising the quality of life for residents); and, c) improve pandemic preparedness and resilience while still protecting the psychosocial health and well-being of residents.

Adopting a Universal Design approach ensures that the research and guidelines are co-produced with key stakeholders, are people-centred, and address the diverse needs of residents, staff, and visitors regardless of their age, size, ability, or disability.

This project looked at internal air quality therefore addressing some issues ‘Healthy environments’ and also covered issues around heating and energy conservation and thus linked with ‘Sustainable and climate responsive communities’. Through the research and engagement process adopted, the project also supported the 4th TrinityHaus pillar - Co-creation, collaboration and stakeholder engagement

At a policy level, research in this area supports the Programme for Government "Our Shared Future" with its commitment to protecting those living in RLTC, while also supporting the work of the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel who are tasked with providing learnings from the crisis and recommendations for the RLTC sector. Nationally, this project supports the ‘National Dementia Strategy’, the ‘Housing Options for Our Aging Population Policy’ and the ‘Housing for all’ plan. Internationally, it supports various UN Sustainable Development Goals as indicated below:

Publications:

• Grey T, Xidous D, O’Donoghue J, Kennelly S, O’Neill D. 2022. Improving quality of life and enhancing COVID-19 infection control in existing residential care settings for older people. Accessed here.
• Grey T, Xidous D, O’Donoghue J, Kennelly S, O’Neill D. 2022. Universal Design for Improving Quality of Life and Enhancing COVID-19 Infection Control in Existing Residential Care Settings for Older People Research Report. Accessed here.

Presentations

• Mapping Quality of Life Domains in Nursing Homes. 17th International Congress of the European Geriatric Medicine Society, Megaron Athens International Conference Centre (MAICC), Athens, Attica, Greece (and online), October 2021.

Contact details – for more information contact Tom Grey, tom.grey@tcd.ie