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A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Summer thermal comfort in nursing homes in the Mediterranean climate
Highlights A thermal sensation analysis of elderly people during summer season in the Mediterranean climate is provided. Thermal comfort of elderly differs to adults. The temperature of thermal neutrality for elderly is higher than for adults. Elderly people in nurseries do not modify their clothing to adapt to unacceptable thermal conditions.
Abstract The number of people living in nursing homes is increasing due to the growth of ageing population. However, existing standards on thermal comfort do not consider how occupants of nursing homes perceive their thermal environment. This study investigated the thermal sensation of elderly people during summer season in nursing homes from the Mediterranean climate. The study was conducted to 623 nursing homes’ occupants (both residents (elderly people) and non-residents (caregivers)) using a thermal sensation questionnaire and measurement of indoor climatic parameters. Elderly’s results were compared with the results of caregivers to study the differences between these groups of population that coexist in the same building. The results showed that elderly people have a different thermal comfort perception than adults. The comfort temperature for elderly people was found to be 24.4 °C while for non-elderly was 23.5 °C. Residents were found to be more tolerant with high temperatures than non-residents. Results also showed that residents do not modify the clothing to adapt to unsatisfactory thermally conditions or to the activity. The results of this research may assist regulatory bodies to develop guidelines to design and operate nursing homes based on real thermal needs of their occupants.
Summer thermal comfort in nursing homes in the Mediterranean climate
Highlights A thermal sensation analysis of elderly people during summer season in the Mediterranean climate is provided. Thermal comfort of elderly differs to adults. The temperature of thermal neutrality for elderly is higher than for adults. Elderly people in nurseries do not modify their clothing to adapt to unacceptable thermal conditions.
Abstract The number of people living in nursing homes is increasing due to the growth of ageing population. However, existing standards on thermal comfort do not consider how occupants of nursing homes perceive their thermal environment. This study investigated the thermal sensation of elderly people during summer season in nursing homes from the Mediterranean climate. The study was conducted to 623 nursing homes’ occupants (both residents (elderly people) and non-residents (caregivers)) using a thermal sensation questionnaire and measurement of indoor climatic parameters. Elderly’s results were compared with the results of caregivers to study the differences between these groups of population that coexist in the same building. The results showed that elderly people have a different thermal comfort perception than adults. The comfort temperature for elderly people was found to be 24.4 °C while for non-elderly was 23.5 °C. Residents were found to be more tolerant with high temperatures than non-residents. Results also showed that residents do not modify the clothing to adapt to unsatisfactory thermally conditions or to the activity. The results of this research may assist regulatory bodies to develop guidelines to design and operate nursing homes based on real thermal needs of their occupants.
Summer thermal comfort in nursing homes in the Mediterranean climate
Forcada, N. (author) / Gangolells, M. (author) / Casals, M. (author) / Tejedor, B. (author) / Macarulla, M. (author) / Gaspar, K. (author)
Energy and Buildings ; 229
2020-08-30
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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