The Importance of Doors

In a 2011 article, Dr. Kaup explored the importance of doors in nursing homes, detailing how they affect patterns of behavior and give long-term residents a form of domestic control.

From her research conducted at a real nursing home in the Midwest, Dr. Kaup discovered that changing a nursing home from the typical hospital-like layout to a more domestic space had a large influence on both employees and residents. The addition of doors into the setting created a distinct separation between private and public spaces, and better communicated boundaries for residents.

In long-term care facilities, creating a space reminiscent of home for residents can greatly improve behavior and health; and doors are a large marker of this. Read the article to learn more.