Social Work - Theses

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    Setting policy in concrete: the impact of the built environment on older people who live in residential aged care facilities
    HAMPSON, RALPH ( 2008)
    Residents of residential aged care facilities live out the last days of their lives in an institutional environment. These facilities can potentially liberate and/or constrain. The voice of actual residents has been little explored to date. Critical gerontology, which underpins the study, demands that researchers endeavour to understand the lived experience of the older person. This thesis focuses on the impact of the built environment on older people (without dementia) who live in residential aged care facilities. Based on original research undertaken in Victoria and some of the latest thinking from Australia and overseas the study was undertaken using mixed methods. The research involved a review of the literature, in depth small group interviews with residents, staff, family and carers, and surveys and a best practice forum with architects and managers. The research identified and explored the key areas of concern for each of these stakeholders, considering how residential aged care services could do more to improve the quality of life for residents through the built environment. Three key areas emerged from the study. Firstly, the journey the residents make in their time in the RACF and how the built environment impacts on their quality of life in place and over time. Secondly, the ‘frames of reference’ the key informants to the study hold are explored and how they can impact on the design process. Finally, by analysing the data collected and placing the resident at the centre, a model is proposed which holds potential and significance in relation to the development of RACFs in the future