On May 26, 2022, researchers in TrinityHaus Research Centre in Trinity College Dublin (TCD), in collaboration with TCD Medical Gerontology, and Tallaght University Hospital launched research findings and recommendations which look at the role of the built environment in balancing quality of life and infection control in residential long-term care (RLTC) settings in Ireland.
Funded by Science Foundation Ireland (as part of their Phase 2 rapid call on COVID-19) this project has examined how the built environment in RLTC can a) enhance the quality of life for residents and improve the visitor experience for friends and family; and b) improve pandemic preparedness while protecting the health and well-being of residents.
The research and recommendations recognise the challenges faced by RLTC settings when balancing infection control and resident wellbeing. This challenge pre-dates COVID-19, but sadly COVID-19 has sharply highlighted infection control issues and the toll that can be taken by a virus, not only in terms of mortality and morbidity, but also as in terms of social isolation, loneliness, and fear and anxiety. The design and built environment of RLTC settings is central to these challenges and COVID-19 has illustrated the impact of space, buildings, and technology on infection control and on resident wellbeing. However, not enough is understood about these relationships and it is vital that evidence-based design underpins future built environment related decisions to improve pandemic resilience.
The research has examined the design of RLTC settings and the convergence/divergence between built environment features that improve infection control and those that support quality of life. As part of the launch on May 26th, the research team shared key findings and recommendations to inform the retrofit of existing RLTC and the design of new-build settings that balance infection control with quality of life, while contributing to resilience for residents and staff. The research findings were complimented by a series of reflections from key organizations that have been involved in the research, as well as perspectives from Irish, and international case studies included in the research (Australia and The Netherlands).
For more information on this project, including where you can download the final report, visit: https://residentiallongtermcaredesign.ie/"
