Consideration on Needs and Elements of Restroom Signs in Group Homes for the Elderly With Dementia: Research on the Systematic Construction of an Environment With Non-Pharmacological Therapy Using Signs Part 3

Abstract

This study focuses on restroom signs displayed in group homes for the elderly with dementia and clarifies the specifications necessary to design restroom signs that enable the elderly with dementia to independently locate restrooms by recognizing the signs. Restroom signs are commonly displayed in many group homes in Japan. The needs of staff regarding restroom signs include supporting the elderly with dementia in identifying restroom locations and promoting their independent use. When planning restroom signs for the elderly with dementia, it is essential to include text-based signs that explicitly indicate the restroom, as relying solely on pictograms may result in insufficient information. Additionally, the appropriate font size for textual displays ranges from 50 to 90 mm. Regarding placement, restroom signs should be displayed on the restroom door at a height of approximately 1300–1400 mm from the floor. However, in some group homes, restroom doors are operated in an open position, making the door surface unavailable as a display area. In such cases, it is necessary to consider displaying the signs on the surrounding wall surfaces.