This research focuses on the design of residential long-term care (RLTC) and the role of the built environment, in terms of creating a balanced approach to COVID-19 infection control and quality of life. The key findings and recommendations set out in this report apply both to the retrofit of existing settings and the design of new-build settings. The research largely shows how well-designed environments create a convergence between good infection control and a higher quality of life, while also contributing to greater resilience for residents and staff.
To understand the key issues that influence the planning, design, and operation of RLTC settings, and to identify how these shape care models and the physical environment of RLTC, we embarked on a wide-ranging study involving a review of Irish policy, stakeholder engagement, Irish case studies, literature review, and international case studies.