The architecture of rehabilitation environments is typically “expert” driven, with little regard for the perceptions of service users, particularly patients and informal caregivers. Hence there is a need to partake with service users to gain their additional insight into what design elements are required to facilitate optimal physical activity, human engagement, and psychological reactions when attempting to overcome the drawbacks and regain function.
To start subtle and give context about what rehabilitation is all about and how architecture and physical environments play a major role in designing these sensitive spaces- rehabilitation is the process of aiding a person in obtaining the optimal degree of functionality, personal autonomy, and quality of life. Rehabilitation does not repair or undo the damage caused by illness or trauma; rather, it aids in the restoration of an individual’s health, efficiency, and well-being.
Because rehabilitation medicine is tailored to each individual’s needs, each program is unique. The following are some general therapy components for rehabilitation programs:
- Getting to the root of the problem and avoiding complexities
- Taking care of the impairment and enhancing function
- Responsive tools and a change in the environment
- Teaching the patient and his or her family about the changes in their lifestyle and assisting them in adapting to them
Rehabilitation facilities are now designed to be stimulating, friendly, safe, and easily accessible. Everything about the space, from the layout and equipment to the mix of open and private sections, is designed to encourage and promote achievement and inspiration.
Participants (rehab patients) in the most constrained environments accepted their status until they were asked to evaluate alternatives; those who had the most choice and access to amenities were the most enthusiastic about these benefits, according to various studies by health and medical professionals. Future architectural designers should consider the perspectives of a wide range of customers with different backgrounds to ensure that they completely appreciate the complex needs of patients and that the ward design enables the most effective rehabilitation system of care.
The few important key features and aspects that go into the philosophy of Rehabilitation centers design are as follows-
Choice in Spaces
In general, patients prefer rehabilitation centers with solitary rooms, conditions that foster community while combining elements of privacy, numerous different common spaces, adequate therapeutic space, access to green spaces areas, and encouragement of extended visitation and family involvement in the patient’s therapy. The setting must be designed in such a way that patients and their families feel comfortable.
Community and Interactive spaces
For educational gatherings, group treatment, and social interaction with family members, large gathering rooms are required. As part of the patient’s treatment, the architect should create a variety of outside and interior social places for them to use. In the rehabilitation center, the engaging environment lessens feelings of loneliness and anxiety.
Material & Colour Theory
Just how color theory helps infants and children grow and enables their psychological well-being and aids stimulation to the budding conscious, similarly rehabilitation patients also require a proper aided stimulus in the process of recovery and help them for efficient functioning. Different materials, textures, colors, and locations should be used to appeal to all five human senses. Reflexology courses, therapeutic gardens, and water bodies are just a few examples of sensory enhancements.
Landscaping & Green spaces
Everyone has a natural desire to seek out nature and other forms of life, such as plants, animals, and sceneries, among other things. Greener places should be incorporated into the design because they are beneficial to patients. It could also include animal-assisted interventions, such as places meant to attract butterflies and birds, among other things.
A huge spectrum of parameters
Although there are design characteristics that contribute to a positive patient and visitor experience, exact responses to patient and provider demands will vary. There is never a one-size-fits-all solution. A facility should have a “mixture of waiting, respite, and clinical areas” to accommodate each patient’s handicap and preferences. Some families may prefer a quiet moment to alone, while others would like a community and camaraderie situation.”
A Sense of Belongingness & Comfort
Rehab rooms today have a less institutional feel than they had ten years ago, starting with wood grain and soft earth tones to promote relaxation. In terms of patient spaces, some physicians see the patient room as a secure sanctuary that the patient “owns,” providing a respite from inpatient routines and therapeutic rigors. Others desire the room to be a multi-purpose space that can be used for seclusion and relaxation as well as therapy when needed. People are attempting to create a relaxing environment for the patient.
Technological Aid
Technology is an important component of any healthcare setting, but it has a wide range of applications in rehabilitation, particularly in re-creating home situations and simulating the physical activities that patients may need after discharge.
References-
healthcaredesignmagazine.com. (n.d.). HCD Mag. [online] Available at: https://healthcaredesignmagazine.com/trends/architecture/home-stretch-designing-rehab-centers/.
www.designcurial.com. (n.d.). Rethinking the design of rehab centres – DesignCurial. [online] Available at: https://www.designcurial.com/news/consider-yourself—one-of-us-4213515.
RTF | Rethinking The Future. (2020). 10 things to remember while designing Rehabilitation centres. [online] Available at: https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/rtf-fresh-perspectives/a1907-10-things-to-remember-while-designing-rehabilitation-centres/.
Killington, M., Fyfe, D., Patching, A., Habib, P., McNamara, A., Kay, R., Kochiyil, V. and Crotty, M. (2019). Rehabilitation environments: Service users’ perspective. Health Expectations, 22(3), pp.396–404.
