Design with Users Clearly in Mind: Putting "Hospitality" Back in Hospitals

The specific design solutions used to create the first Emergency Room for seniors will not be identical with those used on a cruse ship or at a resort - but there is something to be learned by destintion developers, hoteliers, and travel professionals in this example of clarity of purpose and deep knowledge of the psychology and physiology of a client population.




For a further discussion of this project read Seniors-Only Emergency Room at Silver Planet.

Soon we hope to publish some of the proceedings of the Carlo Besta Italian National Neurological Institute conference on disaboity and tourism where medical professionals address the key insights here - that seniors and those with disabilities are living with chronic conditions. These conditions, because they are predictable and well-understood, can addressed through design. Notice in the video the comparisons to "home"; the attention to multiple sensory modalities; the consistent integration of designed space and services to the clearly understood functional ranges of those who will use the space.

The same rapidly growing demographic described here are those who have made Universal Design the norm in their remodeled homes -- and who expect it in the transportation, food, and lodging establishments they seek out for leisure and travel.