| dc.description.abstract | Living in a home designed with all the necessary elements for elderly people with disabilities can enhance their independence, safety, security, self-motivation, communication, and socialization. Consequently, this contributes to their psychological well-being. As populations age worldwide, the prevalence of disabilities among the elderly is increasing, this poses significant challenges to their living condition. This thesis explored the current challenges for ease of maneuvering and implications of Universal Design (UD) in their own home to address the psychological well-being of elders with disabilities. Literature has established that an individual's lifestyle and preferences are influenced by their domestic environment and there are different sets of guidelines. Despite the standards in place, people have different needs and conveniences for maneuvering and/or accessibility based on their usability, body structure, and types of disability. The study aimed to identify the most usable spaces within the home and variable differences due to demographics- age, gender, culture, location, and climate. Moreover, the discussion section suggested key elements of UD to enhance the living quality among the target community.
The data collection method included an online survey and snowball sampling, from 51 participants' responses, either older individuals with disabilities living in their own homes or their caregivers. Among them, 29 were eliminated due to incomplete responses and 22 were retained for further analysis. Through a mixed-method research design, the study collected data regarding accessibility challenges, psychological effects, and the reasons behind the challenges in different spaces within a home environment. Additionally, the thesis delved into the practical implications of UD in housing infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of collaboration efforts among policymakers, architects, urban planners, and healthcare professionals to effectively integrate UD principles into the built environment.
The result section identified the most used spaces, the level of challenges, and the effects on psychological well-being due to the challenges. Additionally, the study elaborated on the correlation between ease of maneuvering and psychological well-being, reasons for challenges during maneuvering, and variation in accessibility responses based on different demographics.
Finally, this research aims to contribute to the burgeoning field of gerontology and disability studies by elucidating the nexus between UD and psychological well-being. By implementing custom solutions at homes, it is possible to make significant strides in reducing the cost of care homes and assisted living facilities. Thesisocating for inclusive design practices, this thesis seeks to enhance the quality of life and promote independence, dignity, and empowerment for this vulnerable demographic, thus fostering a more equitable, and age-friendly society. | en_US |
