Short answer

Designers and facility managers should actively advocate for and implement 'couple-centred' policies and environments that prioritize the privacy, autonomy, and relational needs of partnered residents.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: RUNE (Research UNE) (2018)
Method: Qualitative, three-part mixed methods study adopting an interpretivist-constructivist perspective, drawing on grounded theory and phenomenology.
Evidence: Strong effect

Residential aged care facilities must shift from a 'person-centred' to a 'couple-centred' model to adequately support the relationship needs of partnered residents. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2018 study published in RUNE (Research UNE). Using Qualitative, three-part mixed methods study adopting an interpretivist-constructivist perspective, drawing on grounded theory and phenomenology., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers and facility managers should actively advocate for and implement 'couple-centred' policies and environments that prioritize the privacy, autonomy, and relational needs of partnered residents.

Study

User-Centred DesignHigh ImpactStrong effect

Couple-Centred Aged Care: Prioritizing Relationship Wellbeing for Partnered Residents

Residential aged care facilities must shift from a 'person-centred' to a 'couple-centred' model to adequately support the relationship needs of partnered residents.

RUNE (Research UNE) · 2018

Key Findings

01A broad policy focus on 'person-centred' aged care does not adequately address the needs of couples.
02Ageist attitudes towards older adults' intimate relationships are pervasive.
03Practices such as keeping doors open, staff entering without knocking, and accommodating partners in separate spaces hinder relationship maintenance.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When designing or retrofitting aged care facilities, consider the needs of couples by providing options for shared rooms, private spaces for interaction, and flexible visiting policies. Train staff on the importance of respecting couple privacy and autonomy.

Project actions

01Consider how the physical layout of a space can impact relationships.
02Investigate the policies and procedures of care facilities and how they affect residents' social lives.

Method & Evidence

AimTo identify essential relationship aspects for Baby Boomer couples' wellbeing and practical measures to support these in residential aged care.

MethodQualitative, three-part mixed methods study adopting an interpretivist-constructivist perspective, drawing on grounded theory and phenomenology.

ProcedureThe study explored the needs of Baby Boomers as aged care consumers, focusing on their intimate relationships and the practical support required within residential aged care settings.

ContextResidential aged care settings in Australia, focusing on Baby Boomer cohort.

Variables

IVResidential aged care policies and environmental design.

DVRelationship wellbeing of partnered residents.

CVAge of residents, health status, type of facility.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Addresses an under-researched area of aged care.
+Employs a mixed-methods approach for comprehensive data collection.

Limitations

Gathering direct feedback from residents in aged care can be challenging due to cognitive or health issues. Gaining access to facility policies might require formal requests.

Reliability & validity

Reliability could be enhanced through multiple interviewers and triangulation of data from residents, staff, and policy documents. Validity is supported by the qualitative depth of the findings and the use of established research methodologies like grounded theory and phenomenology.

Think critically

How can design interventions address the systemic issue of ageism in aged care that impacts the recognition and support of older adults' intimate relationships?

Design Principles

"Respect and facilitate the relational needs of individuals within care settings."

This research highlights a critical gap in current aged care practices, which often overlook the unique needs of couples. By understanding and implementing couple-centred approaches, design professionals can create environments and systems that foster relationship maintenance and enhance the overall wellbeing of residents.

What This Means for Your Design

Older couples in care homes need their relationships to be supported, not ignored. The way homes are run and designed often makes it hard for them to be together, so we need to think about them as a couple, not just individuals.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of social connection and relationship support in design projects, particularly those related to healthcare or elder care.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research indicates that a 'couple-centred' approach is essential in residential aged care, moving beyond individualistic 'person-centred' models to actively support the relational wellbeing of partnered residents. This involves designing spaces that allow for privacy and shared living, and implementing operational policies that respect couple autonomy and intimacy, thereby addressing the pervasive ageist attitudes and institutional interferences that currently hinder these relationships.

Source

RUNE (Research UNE)

Behind Closed Doors: Exploring Ways to Support Partnered Baby Boomers' Coupledom in Residential Aged Care Settings

journal · 2018

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about couple-centred aged care: prioritizing relationship wellbeing for partnered residents?: Designers and facility managers should actively advocate for and implement 'couple-centred' policies and environments that prioritize the privacy, autonomy, and relational needs of partnered residents. Evidence: RUNE (Research UNE) (2018).
Why does "Couple-Centred Aged Care: Prioritizing Relationship Wellbeing for Partnered Residents" matter for design?: This research highlights a critical gap in current aged care practices, which often overlook the unique needs of couples. By understanding and implementing couple-centred approaches, design professionals can create environments and systems that foster relationship maintenance and enhance the overall wellbeing of residents.
How can designers apply this research?: Designers and facility managers should actively advocate for and implement 'couple-centred' policies and environments that prioritize the privacy, autonomy, and relational needs of partnered residents.
What were the main findings?: A broad policy focus on 'person-centred' aged care does not adequately address the needs of couples.. Ageist attitudes towards older adults' intimate relationships are pervasive.. Practices such as keeping doors open, staff entering without knocking, and accommodating partners in separate spaces hinder relationship maintenance.
What research method was used?: Qualitative, three-part mixed methods study adopting an interpretivist-constructivist perspective, drawing on grounded theory and phenomenology..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2018 journal from RUNE (Research UNE).
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing or retrofitting aged care facilities, consider the needs of couples by providing options for shared rooms, private spaces for interaction, and flexible visiting policies. Train staff on the importance of respecting couple privacy and autonomy.
What are the limitations?: The study focuses on the Baby Boomer cohort and may not be fully generalizable to all older adult populations. The 'couple-centred' model requires significant systemic change.