Habitability conditions of housing for older people. Review of design criteria

Abstract

The article discusses the need for design standards and adaptation guidelines for homes for older people with and without disabilities to reduce risks in daily activities in their homes. For this, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) Model is used to identify functionality issues and disabilities that affect the domestic activities of older people. The objective is to propose design criteria that improve the quality of life of older people by facilitating the basic and instrumental activities of daily life inside their homes. Using the content analysis of both the ICF and daily life’s basic and instrumental activities, design criteria are proposed for homes for older people in general and for older people with cognitive (Alzheimer’s), sensory (visual and auditory), and physical (wheelchair users) disabilities.