An Analysis of Unit Care Characteristics of Large Skilled Nursing Facilities for the Elderly in City Areas

도심지역 대규모 노인전문요양시설의 단위공간별 특성 분석

The purpose of this study was to investigate unit care characteristics of large skilled nursing facilities for the elderly, which are located in city areas, and to discuss the way of encouraging home-like atmosphere in perspective of spatial unit. First of all, the analysis of five facilities opened before 2002 was performed, based on previous studies, to compare with them opened in recent 5 years. Most of the previous facilities did not have differentiation between their residential and nursing units, and the number of residents in each unit were excessive in comparison with the standard limit(12-28). On the contrary, the facilities established in recent 5 years had systematic spatial unit structure. The residential units had basically rooms and spaces for small group and the number of elderly residents per unit was appropriate on the basis of standard limit which was suggested by Kwon(2002). The nursing units were consist of nursing station, 2-3 residential units, spaces for large group of residents, hair dressing, nurse, living assistant, bathing, storage and etc. But, there was a problem In space usage even though they have distinct unit care systems. Some spaces for groups were empty without residents, furniture, and other equipments, which were necessary for unit care.