A Study on the Living Activities of the Elderly with Dementia in Skilled Nursing Facilities in Rural Area

농촌지역 노인전문요양시설 치매노인의 생활행위에 관한 연구

The purpose of this study is to clarify the actual condition of the daily living activities of the elderly with dementia in skilled nursing facilities. The thorough investigation and observation works were made from the view points of daily living behaviors and behavioral places of the recuperating elderly with dementia. This article discusses about the basic characteristics of the elderly and the actual condition of the daily living activities of the elderly with dementia in 2 skilled nursing facilities. The results of this study are summarized as follows; There is no wide difference between skilled nursing facilities on the characteristic of living behaviors of the elderly with dementia. Daily living activities and the use of spaces are largely influenced by the daily program and the operation policy of each skilled nursing facilities in addition to human relationship of the elderly with dementia. Common spaces such as day room, dining room plays an important role for their daily living activities, because that most of the elderly with dementia stay long during daytime. Layout of each private room and common space seems very crucial point in designing these facilities, in order to enable demented people to live their lives more independently.