Ergonomics and habitats for elders

Abstract

This paper focuses on an assessment of psychiatric-geriatric patients' interaction with hospital spaces and develops a methodology for the analysis of usability and habitability. The paper makes use of ergonomics to display how it can be a valuable tool in the analysis and design of geriatric spaces. The main purpose of the paper is to propose design and architectural criteria, which, guided by ergonomics and users' needs, promotes patients' integration and participation and minimizes the barriers that limit their autonomy. Lastly, the paper suggests that architects and designers should go beyond traditional approaches when dealing with geriatric spaces.