ASSESSMENT OF INDOOR AIR QUALITY PRINCIPLES IN THE PROPOSED DESIGN OF A NURSING HOME IN ABUJA, FCT, NIGERIA

Abstract

Researches done in healthcare indicate that patient outcome is linked with the hospital‟s physical environment. This environment includes the specialised health facilities like Nursing homes which functions primarily as a place for rest, recovery and restoration of health and wellbeing of older adults through its facilities. In order to optimize performance in the face of challenging climatic conditions, the study streamlines to one of the principles of Sustainable Architecture - Indoor air quality. Recent research has linked recovery rate and prevention of ailments to the environment in which it is taking place. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the condition/performance on the perceived Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and the indoor air related symptoms of senior‟s facilities. The methodological approach of the research is predicated on extensive literature review, qualitatively studying the Old people‟s home in Minna. In this study, Indoor air quality design considerations gotten from literature are used as a reference for comparison with what is found in property. The design considerations or Variables are expected to work as a reference for promoting environments that are adapted for the needs of older adults. The perceived IAQ and the related symptoms were collected by means of an indoor air questionnaire survey and observation schedule among the senior adults in the facility. The performance was significantly low in the facility, given Natural ventilation as 30%, Outdoor landscape as 5%, Indoor landscape as 0% and shading device as 65%, making residents prone to illness related to poor indoor air quality. Therefore, it is imperative that IAQ design consideration (Natural ventilation, Natural lightning, Landscape configurations, Shading devices) be adapted in the design of residential apartments for the elderly as it helps prevent, promote and provide a curative remedy for their well-being.