Thesis (Ph.D.)--Ohio University, 2006. / Adviser: Christina S. Beck. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Ohio University, June, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 92-105)

Thesis (M.A.)--Georgia State University, 2009. / Title from title page (Digital Archive@GSU, viewed July 29, 2010) Ann Pearman, committee chair; Erin Ruel, Dennis Thompson, committee members. Includes bibliographical references (p. 73-81).

Le présent travail de recherche se situe dans le cadre du développement et de l‟évaluation du concept de résidences-services développé par l‟association MEDeTIC. L‟objectif de cette association est de répondre au souhait de nombreuses personnes âgées de vieillir chez elles ou comme chez elles grâce à une offre de services intégrant des technologies au sein d‟un habitat adapté aux besoins évolutifs des personnes âgées. Notre travail a pour ambition d‟accompagner cette association dans une démarche de diagnostic psychosocial des besoins de la personne âgée en matière d‟habitat, de technologies et de services. En conservant pour cadre d‟analyse ces trois sources d‟innovation intégrées au sein des résidences-services, cette thèse vise à mobiliser les outils de la psychologie sociale et ergonomique en vue d‟identifier les freins et les leviers de leur déploiement (études 1A, 1B et 1C). Sous l‟égide d‟une approche traitant de l‟acceptabilité, nous examinons d‟une part la compatibilité entre les fonctionnalités offertes des services et les limitations rencontrées par les personnes âgées (étude B1) et d‟autre part l‟influence de la familiarité aux technologies (étude B2). Puis, pour comprendre les processus cognitifs et sociaux sous tendant l‟usage, les expérimentations C1 et C2 se focalisent sur les modèles prédictifs ainsi que sur l‟influence des déterminants individuels (i.e. âge, expérience), sociaux (i.e. opinions des aidants) et organisationnels (i.e. caractère volontaire de l‟accès aux services). Sur la base des résultats obtenus, des recommandations pratiques sont adressées à l‟association MEDeTIC afin qu‟elle poursuive son évolution / This research work is grounded in the development and evaluation of congregate housing concept carried by MEDeTIC non profit organization. Its purpose is to answer the need of elderly people who wish to successfully age in place by providing evolutionary ambient assisted living services at home. In order to support MEDeTIC developments, the ambition of our work was to engage a psychosocial diagnosis of elderly people needs concerning home, technologies and services. Through the focus of psychosocial and ergonomics tools, these three sources of innovations are conjointly analyzed in the present dissertation in order to identify what is hindering and driving congregate housing implementation (studies A1, A2, A3). Providing acceptability issues, this thesis firstly analyzes on the one hand service functionalities compatibility with activity limitations encountered by elderly people (study B1) and on the other hand familiar experience with technologies (study B2). Secondly, experiments C1 and C2 focus on model prediction and on individual (i.e. age, experience), socials (i.e. care givers opinions) and organizational (i.e. voluntary service usage settings) determinants in order to apprehend cognitive and social processes that drive usage of technical services by the elderly. Based on our findings, practical recommendations are address to MEDeTIC non profit organization in order to foster its evolution

Thesis. 1979. M.C.P.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ROTCH. / Bibliography: leaves 115-119. / M.C.P.

No description available.

The purpose of this paper is to present, illustrate and systematize documentation on projected and existing international examples and housing conditions for an aging population and to question the architect's role in terms of person-environment relations.As architects we often base our design on assumptions. A thorough training in the techniques of systematic observation can provide information, and data for improvements and necessities.The paper consists of two main parts. The first part focuses on research of theoretical and practical design aspects through a retrospective look at the history and the physiology of aging.Major goals are:• To increase the knowledge of person-environment interactions through a better understanding of behavioral systems of older people (environment as a stimulant).• To examine environmental attributes constituting an appropriate environment for an independent life (therapeutic aspects of design).• To identify necessities and ways of filling gaps in the relationship between theoretical design aspects and their practical application.•To refelect on historical aspects of aging by showing the ambivalence and changeability in man's systems of values.The second part of the paper considers several international innovative housing and living arrangements in an illustrative way. / Department of Architecture

The purpose of this exploratory study was to develop an instrument to measure perceived food autonomy (PFA) among cognitively alert residents in state licensed Assisted Living (AL) facilities, and to investigate the influence of PFA on food satisfaction, while controlling for functional (physical, social, and psychological) status, general health, and demographic characteristics. The study was designed to achieve four objectives: 1) to define a theoretical framework for food autonomy among residents in AL settings and to develop an instrument accordingly; 2) to evaluate the content and construct validity of the PFA scale; 3) to evaluate the reliability of the PFA scale; and 4) to investigate the effect of perceived food autonomy, functional (physical, social and psychological) status, and general health on food satisfaction in AL settings. Definitions for food autonomy and three underlying dimensions were developed based on conceptualizations of personal autonomy for older adults in long-term care settings, which provided a theoretical framework for the PFA scale development. Content validity was established by expert panel evaluation and a pilot study. Construct validity was achieved from factor analysis procedures with a sample of 120 residents from eleven AL facilities. Cronbach's alpha measure of internal consistency showed the 11-item PFA scale to be reliable (alpha = .71). Multiple linear regression analysis examined the effect of residents' PFA, health and functional status, and demographic characteristics on food satisfaction. Food satisfaction was measured by a highly reliable (alpha = .87) scale that was compiled for this study. Perceived food autonomy was the most significant predictor of food satisfaction, explaining 37% of its variance. Residents' perceptions of daily pain along with the joint effect of ADL needs and dentures use made a lesser but significant contribution. Altogether, the above variables explained 48% of the variance in residents' food satisfaction. Application of reliable%instruments such as the PFA and FS scales can be used by AL provider to guide food service quality improvement efforts. Residents' PFA and food satisfaction should be periodically measured due to the typical decline in overall health and functional status of AL residents. / Graduation date: 2004

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Duquesne University, 2007. / Title from document title page. Abstract included in electronic submission form. Includes bibliographical references (p. 221-232) and index.

Why is independence a central theme for proponents of assisted living facilities? How do assisted living providers respond to this theme? These questions are pursued in an ethnographic study centered on Oregon's assisted living program. Assisted living facilities (ALF), defined and monitored by Oregon's Senior and Disabled Services Division (SDSD), are a type of housing for disabled, primarily elderly, persons. Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR-411-56) define independence, requiring ALF providers to support resident independence. Using social worlds theory as a sensitizing concept, assisted living is treated as a distinct social world. The activities of key groups, including SDSD staff, an ALF professional group, and assisted living managers, are described. These members commit to a “social model” approach to long-term care for which independence is the unifying construct. This approach offers a value-practice “package” that explains how to implement the value of independence (Fujimura, 1997). Three arenas where this package is apparent are described: marketing, manager training, and daily operations. Content analysis of marketing brochures from 63 assisted living facilities shows that independence is a dominant theme, promoted like any other product. These materials indicate that assisted living operators promote resident independence by providing a barrier-free environment, helping residents with daily tasks, and allowing residents control over their decisions. Manager training programs are another arena where the policy value of independence is evident. Here, new managers learn “who we are” and “what we do” in this social world. They learn a new vocabulary and are introduced to tools for daily practice. They learn the boundaries of this social world, and above all, how to behave differently from nursing facilities that they associate with the “medical model.” In daily practice, managers use institutional conventions, including the “negotiated service agreement” and "managed risk agreement." These tools are designed to respond to the tension between supporting independence and providing care to chronically ill, disabled individuals. Observations of marketing, management training, and resident assessments indicate that the social world of assisted living is in a formative stage, as members attempt to define and legitimate who they are and what they do.