Evaluating the objective and subjective physical environments of residential care facilities

Abstract

The aim of this research was to explore the objective and subjective physical environments of residential care facilities (RCFs) by studying 34 facilities in Harbin, Changchun, Shenyang and Dalian. A study that combines questionnaires and instrumental testing. Pearson’s correlation and regression analysis were used to analyse the correlation between the measured value and the evaluation result and the impact on the results of the participants’ personal background evaluations. The results showed that the brightness intensity ranged from 100 to 450 cd/m2, illuminance 200–550 lx and sound pressure level (SPL) 40–58 dBA. In reconstructed RCFs (RCFs converted from other buildings), the odour and other factors were significantly positively correlated with the satisfaction of participants. Seasonal changes had a significant impact on the level of different physical environments, particularly in the assessment of the thermal environment. Temperatures were highest in bedrooms, reaching 27°C. The correlation between the measured value and the evaluated satisfaction was high. The education level of participants was related to their satisfaction with the overall Indoor environmental quality (IEQ). Participants in the study were satisfied with the overall IEQ of the RCFs. These results can provide data-based support and act as a reference for IEQ research on RCFs.

Supporting dementia care by monitoring indoor environmental quality in a nursing home

“…62 The impact of the lighting on care home residents' living conditions is significant. 63 Older people with dementia staying in low illuminance environments could show more signs of a negative mood, thus impacting their well-being. 64 A comfortable indoor light environment compensates for the deteriorating eyesight of older people and benefits the quality of life, such as regulating circadian rhythm and decreasing depression.…”

Subjective evaluation of home environment and levels of self‐reported depression in middle to old age: Results from the HCHS study

“…For instance, a study in older residents (householders 75−79 years of age) revealed that objective (structural adequacy, maintenance quality) and subjective (overall satisfaction with housing rated by subjects) data were significantly related, but the objective data only explained 4.8−18.5% of the subjective ratings (Christensen et al, 1992). In a recent study investigating the correlations between objectively measured versus subjective ratings of environmental variables in the home across 34 care facilities in China, it was found that the magnitude of correlations varied across examined parameters (e.g., humidity, lighting, acoustic properties, and air quality), but they were all positive and most of them were significant (Mu et al, 2023). Generally, a complementary approach that integrates subjective and objective data might be an optimal solution to explain overall satisfaction with the home environment (Chen et al, 2022), and relatedly mental health outcomes.…”