Integrated Approach for Older Adult Friendly Home Architectural Design

Abstract

Poor staircase architectural design could contribute to increasing the risk of falling for older adults. This research provides an integrated evidence-based assessment of staircase architectural design to support independent living for older adults (65 years and older). The staircase assessment has been developed through dividing the staircase into four design elements: staircase geometrical design, handrail design, lighting, and step design. Each element is divided into a number of features that define its architectural design; for instance, step design is divided into four features: 1) going depth; 2) riser height; 3) nosing; and 4) steps finishing material. A rating factor is assigned to each feature representing how much it reduces the risk of falling for older adults based on previous evidence-based studies. The proposed methodology for staircase assessment has been incorporated into a mathematical model that is represented through a decision tree analysis module called “Design Assessment Tree” (DAT).