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NORDIC LIGHT & COLOUR
139
2001). Colour cueing could improve the abilities to target ob-
jects accurate for older persons with low vision (Cooper, 1999).
Visual access to main destinations could facilitate way finding
for persons with severe cognitive disabilities. The information
within the physical environment have to be accessible in order
to support the patients to move from one decision point to an-
other and signage are of great importance. However, patterns
in the floor and dark areas can cause anxiety and confusion
for persons with severe cognitive disabilities (Passini, Pigot,
Rainville & Tétreault, 2000).
Theoretical framework
The theoretical framework in this study is based on Lawton
and Nahemow’s ecological model of ageing. According to this
model the behavior is a function of both the person and the en-
vironment and by looking at a person´s competence in relation
to the environmental pressure the behavior can be predicted.
The model derives from the idea that ageing is connected with
increasing levels of impairment and therefore the environ-
ment must be adjusted to these new conditions. The following
equation has been developed: B=f (P, E) where B stands for
behavior, f for function, P for person and E for environment.
Competence includes the biological health, sensory perceptual
capacity, cognitive capacity, motor skills and ego strength, and
is a part of the person. The environmental factors will have
greater impact on individuals with low competence compared
to those with higher competence (Lawton & Nahemow, 1973).
An increasing population of elderly will in the future require
high quality of health care and social services. A majority of
older persons living in nursing homes suffer from both cogni-
tive and physical impairments which creates specific chal-
lenges for designing a building that facilitates good quality of
life and wellbeing for these residents. Light and colour are im-
portant parts within the physical environment and can be used
to support this highly frail group of people. Due to this back-
ground it was important to study different professions thoughts
on light and colour within nursing home facilities.
Aim
The aim was to take part of the thoughts on light and colour in
nursing home facilities from the perspective of actors from dif-
ferent sectors within health care for older people.
Methods and sample
The study has a qualitative, descriptive design. Purposeful
sampling was used in order to receive variation in the material.
By collecting informants with specific knowledge or experience
within a certain area, the research question can be illuminated
from a broad perspective (Polit & Beck, 2008). The inclusion
criteria was participants with at least two years of work experi-
ence related to residential care facilities.
In this study the following professions were represented:
- Architects
- Nursing home managers
- Nursing home staff
Different strategies were used to receive persons who met
the inclusion criteria. First, the managers of several nursing
homes within one municipality were contacted. They were given
information about the study and asked if they and/or their staff
were interested in participating. Two nursing home managers
and four nursing home staff agreed to participate. One manag-
er and one nursing home staff worked within the same nursing
home, but the other persons worked in different facilities.
Two architects were also included in the study. An architectural
firm in the same municipality had recently designed a hospital
construction, and was therefore contacted. One of their archi-
tects who had long experience from residential care facilities
was interested to take part in the study. Another architect had
worked with the design of dementia specific care homes and
was also interested to be involved in the study. These two ar-
chitects did not work in the same architecture firms and were
situated in different municipalities.
In total, eight persons were included in the study. There were
seven females and one male, and the age ranged from 23 to
59 years old. The architects had been involved in designing
nursing homes. The nursing home managers had work experi-
ence from different nursing home facilities, but had not been
a part of planning or designing processes. Two of the nursing
home staff had been involved in smaller renovation projects in
residential care facilities, but the other staff members had no
such experience.
Semi-structured interviews were performed with these differ-
ent professionals. Semi-structured interviews are commonly
used in order to capture different aspects of a subject. By using
open-ended questions the informants can describe a phenom-
enon without being limited to predetermined responses (Polit
& Beck, 2008). Seven of the interviews were performed face to
face, and one interview via telephone. The interviews lasted
between 15 and 42 minutes.
The following questions were asked to the participants:
> Have you thought anything about light and colour in
your work?
> In what way can light and colour be of importance within
elderly care?