Arrangements design of the congregate meal site to promote elderly interactive behavior

Abstract

This study discussed how seating arrangements and seat selection influence interactions between older people. Two congregate meal sites were selected for the experiment, and a nonparticipant observation was adopted wherein the entire dining process of older people at the site was examined. Further adjustments were then made to seating arrangements and an evaluation of the benefit thereof was made. Observation revealed that over 90% of the participants selected the same seat at each gathering. Participants tended to sit in the same or relatively similar location; additionally, participants who sat in the same area tended to share similar behavioral features. After adjusting the seating arrangements, this study discovered that an orthogonal seating arrangement greatly reduced bilateral gazing and lessened the stress of some participants. A face-to-face seating arrangement can encourage not only bilateral and unilateral gazing but cross-sectional conversation behaviors for participants who linger for a longer mealtime.

Keywords

• evidence-based design
• congregate meal service
• mealtimes
• seating arrangement
• interaction
• senior citizens