Demans Dostu Yaşam Ortamlarında Bir Değerlendirme Aracı Olarak “Duyusallık Matrisi”

Öz

Demans bakım ortamlarında mimari tasarım ve çevresel faktörler, demansla yaşayan bireylerin algısal değişikliklerine uyum sağlamak ve onların yaşam kalitesini artırmak için hayati bir rol oynamaktadır. Bu çalışma, demanslı bireylerin çevresel ihtiyaçlarını “duyusallık” ve “çok-duyulu entegrasyon” kavramları çerçevesinde ele alarak, mekânsal kurguyu analitik bir yöntemle değerlendirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Çalışmada yaşlılık ve demans tanımlanmış, duyusallığın mimariyle olan ilişkisi irdelenmiş ve demanslı bireylerin duyusal ihtiyaçlarına cevap verebilecek çevresel düzenlemelerin önemi vurgulanmıştır. Araştırma kapsamında yürütülen kapsamlı literatür taraması sonucunda; mimari mekânı yapısal ögeler, iç mekân nitelikleri ve donatılar/ekipman olmak üzere üç farklı ölçekte, beş temel duyu (görme, işitme, dokunma, kinestetik ve koku) üzerinden inceleyen özgün bir “Duyusallık Matrisi” geliştirilmiştir. Çalışmanın uygulama aşamasında, uluslararası literatürde öncü kabul edilen üç demans köyü projesi (Furuset Hageby, Alzheimer’s Village ve Carpe Diem) bu matris aracılığıyla duyusal-mimari analize tabi tutulmuştur. Elde edilen karşılaştırmalı bulgular; yalıtılmış tekil duyulara hitap eden veya yalnızca görsel aşırı uyarımı engelleyen steril tasarımların yetersiz kaldığını; mekânın ancak kinestetik güvenlik, dokunsal aşinalık ve kokusal/işitsel zenginliği barındıran bütüncül bir duyusallık ile desteklendiğinde aktif bir bakım elemanına dönüştüğünü göstermektedir. Sonuç olarak, literatürden elde edilen kuramsal veriler ve örnek analizleriyle doğrulanan bu matris, demans dostu yaşam alanlarının tasarımında ve değerlendirilmesinde mimarlara rehberlik edecek çok boyutlu, birey merkezli ve somut bir metodolojik araç sunmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Demans
• Mimari tasarım
• Duyusal algı
• Yaşlı bakım evleri
• Duyusallık matrisi

Etik Beyan

Çalışmanın tüm yazarları bu çalışmada, sonuçları veya yorumları etkileyebilecek herhangi bir maddi veya diğer asli çıkar çatışması olmadığını beyan etmektedirler.

The 'Sensory Matrix' as an Assessment Tool in Dementia-Friendly Living Environments

Öz

Architectural design and environmental characteristics in dementia care settings play a vital role in addressing the perceptual changes experienced by people living with dementia and in enhancing their quality of life. This study aims to evaluate spatial organization through an analytical approach that considers the environmental needs of people living with dementia based on the concepts of “sensoriality” and “multisensory integration.” The study defines the concepts of aging and dementia, examines the relationship between sensoriality and the built environment, and emphasizes the importance of environmental design strategies that can address the sensory needs of individuals with dementia. Based on a comprehensive literature review, a novel Sensory Matrix was developed to examine architectural space across three spatial scales—structural elements, interior qualities, and fixtures and equipment—and five sensory domains: visual, auditory, tactile, kinesthetic, and olfactory. During the application phase of the study, three dementia village projects considered pioneering in the international literature (Furuset Hageby, Alzheimer’s Village, and Carpe Diem) were subjected to a sensory-spatial analysis using this matrix. The comparative findings reveal that sterile designs—which address isolated individual senses or merely prevent visual overstimulation—are insufficient; space becomes an active component of care when supported by a holistic sensory experience that incorporates kinesthetic safety, tactile familiarity, and olfactory and auditory richness. Consequently, this matrix—validated through the theoretical framework established in the literature and case study analyses—provides architects with a multidimensional, person-centered, and practical methodological tool to guide the design and evaluation of dementia-friendly living environments.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Dementia
• Architectural design
• Sensory perception
• Elderly care houses
• Sensoriality matrix

Etik Beyan

All authors of this study declare that they have no financial or other material conflicts of interest that could influence the results or interpretations of this study.

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