Chromatic interior environments for the elderly: A literature review

Abstract

The impact of the physical environment on individuals has arisen as a growing body of research in population wellbeing. Yet, most of studies in this area do not focus on elderly even though they are particularly susceptible to the characteristics of their interior spaces. It is a well‐known fact that to be old is to acquire a tolerance of disabilities based on the gradual degeneration. A common problem is a dysfunction in visual sensitivity and accordingly, the alteration of their environmental color perception. That is why these impairments need to be understood in order to minimize the elderly spatial difficulties. To know at what point there is a loss in the ability to perceive color is necessary to understand how should we take these facts into consideration. A state‐of‐the‐art literature review of current studies from the last 20 years is carried out. The aim is to analyze existing practices on Evidence‐Based Research through a multidisciplinary approach in order to create knowledge about chromatic built environments for the elderly. Data are identified and considered together with empirical experience about color, perception, built environment and elderly. Thus, the way in which elderly perceive the space is explored. The adjustments in the formulation of these impairments throughout any design strategy to adapt the environment to their physiological changes are determined. This article aims to determine a design interpretation of the various findings, demonstrating that color, as a parameter of the visual performance, influences visual comfort and helps performance in architecture for old people.

Color in the educational environment for older people: recent research review

“…The researchers give a number of important recommendations that should be taken into account both in the design of classrooms [38] and in the development of virtual training courses, presentations, and textbooks for students of "silver" age to reduce physiological barriers to perception and increase the availability of information in the educational space for older people.…”

“…Fifth, the researchers recommend avoiding the combinations of shades that look similar -white and yellow [51], green and blue [82], dark blue and black, brown and purple, blue and gray [51; 82], when shaping an educational environment for older people. The use of blues and greens is recommended with only a strong contrast in lightness [38]. For example, to make it more appropriate for older people to perceive a political map, where color is used to show the boundaries and locations of individual countries, it is better to avoid in the designation of neighboring countries those colors that older people do not distinguish well (for example, blue and green or purple and brown) [58].…”

“…This group's research contains a number of color imperatives for gerontological education infrastructure, most of which concern the necessary limitations of the chromatic palette and acceptable color combinations. The authors strongly advise against the use of dark colors in the design of classrooms for older people, since they create a sense of a closed space and are poorly perceived by older people [82], as well as the colors with high saturation, which cause increased arousal in older people [38]. It is recommended to choose for the walls of classrooms light shades that reflect light well, primarily yellow; use warm pastel colors, as well as restrained, calm and soft color nuances [28, p. 89-90] or shades of the bluegreen part of the spectrum average in intensity and saturation [64, p. 130-132].…”

Design Guidelines to Reduce Extrinsic Fall Risks in the Built Environment

“…Provide light upon room entry to increase safety and ability to discern spatial qualities [29,34,35].…”

“…Provide clear wayfinding and promote balance, which could be compromised by turning too quickly [5,20,24,35,39,48].…”