| Abstract: | A study of 13 homes for elderly people examining the effect of the environment on demented residents looked into the complexity of the design from the residents' point of view. Two principal tools were used in this investigation: ‘route diagrams’, which describe a resident's use of the home, and a measure devised to indicate each resident's ability to find her way around the home. These are described and the relationship between them explored. From this the following tentative conclusions are drawn: - (i) The variables that influence a resident's ability to find her way around differ between group and communally designed homes.
- (ii) It would appear that group homes provide a more favourable design, especially in the case of physically frail demented elderly people.
- (iii) In group homes, the level of lighting is an important aid to a demented person in finding her way around.
- (iv) In communal homes, residents seem most able to find their way around homes that have been adapted from older premises.
- (v) In both types of home, ‘meaningful decision points’ can be seen as aids to a resident finding her way around.
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