Thesis Title: “Balai Agapay” A Proposed Intergenerational Care Complex: An Intergenerational Approach to Redefining Orphan Homes
Thesis Proponent: Alyanna Baga
Thesis Adviser: Ar. Ronald Bryan Ancla
School: Ateneo de Davao University
Year of Defense: 2024 (Best Thesis)
Abstract
Care facilities play a crucial role in offering vulnerable populations the support they need. In an era marked by an increase in the abandonment of older adults and orphans, the care for these two sectors continue to become a pressing concern, especially in the Philippines. This thesis explores an enhanced approach in addressing the identified gaps found in care programs and its conditions for these two vulnerable populations by introducing the intergenerational approach. To gather insights based on the feasibility of the proposed approach, the study conducted ocular inspections, interviews, and focus group discussions among six care facilities along with their residents and staff in Davao City, who are willing to participate in the study. Three are chosen for orphanages and the same goes for homes for the aged. Throughout the study, the significant gaps identified were lack of applied architectural guidelines, a one-size-fits-all approach, and limited opportunities for intergenerational interactions in existing care programs and conditions. Furthermore, the study found the relevance of the intergenerational approach in addressing the significant gaps identified to promote enhancement of the quality of life of orphaned children and the elderly in a shared living environment. The findings of this research suggest that the intergenerational approach is imperative in redefining orphan homes and senior living in Davao City.
Introduction
Care facilities play a crucial role in offering vulnerable populations the support they need. In an era marked by an increase in the abandonment of older adults and orphans, the Philippines has at least 2 million orphaned children, with 1 out of 6 orphaned, abandoned, or neglected children, and an estimated 9 million senior residents- of which 80% are not given sufficient care. This underscores the reason as to why a party list lawmaker, Rep. Milagro Aquino Magsaysay, is seeking national government regulation on creating more assisted living and senior care facilities. There is a continuous upward trajectory in the population that belongs to these two marginalized groups of society in the Philippines. Additionally, these growing numbers of the young population and the elderly place a burden on the Philippine Government to effectively provide better health and social services as well as infrastructures . As the numbers of these abandoned sectors of society continue to rise- along with their growing concerns, it becomes increasingly crucial that these vulnerable sectors receive the support and care that aligns with the demands of contemporary times in terms of social well-being and inclusive communities. Conventional care approach and settings of orphanages and homes for the aged often falls short in meeting the needs of today's elderly and orphaned children in terms of providing supportive environments that foster meaningful intergenerational interactions, especially in light of the Philippines' ageing society and orphan crisis. The need to redefine care environments and propose an enhanced approach to care grounded on the principles of humanization and person-centered care is more rampant than ever. The concept of an intergenerational built environment is an emerging timely solution that has gained recognition and momentum worldwide. Furthermore, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) of the Philippines has recognized the importance of Intergenerational Programs and engagements in addressing the critical issues of ageing while simultaneously allowing culture transfer across generations. As mentioned in the report "The Future of Intergenerational Communities: A Call to Action" (2018), there is a call for the expansion and investment of intergenerational communities as this has the potential to combat the challenges generational gaps face in our society that leads to age segregation such as isolation, diminished autonomy, and lack of meaningful interactions. As stated by Jone (2016), this approach offers opportunities for collaboration and exchange of skills, knowledge, and experiences between people of various ages. This study offers an approach to architecture that values the support of human presence and inhabitation in designing and planning the built environment where meaningful intergenerational relationships can flourish and recognizes that everyone, especially the abandoned and neglected children and older adults, can mutually benefit from these cross-generational engagements, and they can offer more than just tangible aspects as this proposed built environment can have the potential to foster communities that give value and importance to these instances of human connection. In conclusion, an intergenerational approach to redefining orphan homes and homes for older adults could significantly enhance the way of conventional care approaches and settings for these vulnerable populations. This study can be a potential model for future care facilities to emphasize an inclusive built environment that prioritizes spaces for diverse activities that encourage a sense of belonging through meaningful intergenerational interactions where children and the elderly can coexist, interact, and thrive. Overall, this study intends to promote a mutually beneficial shared living environment among orphaned children and the elderly, aiming for a shared environment that promotes the enhancement of well-being for orphaned children and the elderly through the intergenerational approach by applying the design guidelines and standards developed from the study to the proposed complex.
Statement of the Problem
The conventional approach to care and its settings of orphan homes and homes for the aged continue to be age-segregated, resulting in the creation of isolated environments that often fail to address their residents’ diverse and specific needs. There is a need to go beyond just building and establishing infrastructures for these vulnerable populations, and care facilities must adapt into inclusive, dynamic, and interconnected spaces that offer opportunities that fosters a mutually beneficial environment, personal growth, and a sense of belonging. The study centers on an intergenerational approach to bridge the gaps in the conventional care approaches and its settings of Orphanages and Homes for the Aged in Davao City. However, further in-depth research on intergenerational practices in the local context has yet to be conducted. In accordance with this, the study seeks answers to these questions:
1. What are the gaps in the current conditions and care programs of Orphanages and Homes for the Aged in Davao City?
2. What is the relevance of the intergenerational approach in the context of addressing the gaps to redefining orphan homes and homes for the aged in Davao City?
3. How does the intergenerational approach relate to designing and planning a care complex aimed at promoting a mutually beneficial shared environment for orphaned children and the elderly?
4. What architectural design and planning guidelines can be derived from this study that can be applied to an Intergenerational Care Complex?
Goals and Objectives
Numerous studies have proven how the intergenerational approach has played a significant role in improving the overall well-being of its participants, particularly between children and older adults in shared living environments. Intergenerational engagement is essential for inclusive, livable communities, healthy and productive aging, making it a significant concept for redefining orphan homes and senior living as it seeks to establish a community that is typically disrupted by conventional care facilities. The study's primary purpose is to bridge the gaps in the conventional care approach and its settings of orphan homes and homes for the aged in Davao City by integrating the intergenerational approach to enhance these facilities and promote a mutually beneficial shared living environment for orphaned children and the elderly and ultimately redefine orphan homes and senior living. In adherence to this, the study aims to achieve the following objectives:
1. Identify the gaps in the current conditions and care programs of Orphanages and Homes for the Aged in Davao City.
2. Identify the relevance of the intergenerational approach in addressing the identified gaps to redefining orphan homes and homes for the aged in Davao City.
3. Identify how the intergenerational approach addressing the identified gaps in orphanages and homes for the aged relates to designing and planning a care complex aimed at promoting a mutually beneficial shared environment for orphaned children and the elderly.
4. Develop architectural design guidelines derived from the study that can be applied to an Intergenerational Care Complex.
Significance of the Study
The result of this study will be beneficial to the following:
● Orphaned Children - This study may offer insights into improving orphan children's well-being and support systems, which could lead to better outcomes for their physical, emotional, and educational needs.
● Senior Citizens - This study's findings may help identify ways to enhance the quality of life and care for the elderly especially in residential care facilities.
● Local Communities - Local communities can benefit from this study by better understanding intergenerational practices and how these can strengthen community bonds and social inclusion in addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, especially since the local authorities are now urging intergenerational programs.
● Architects and Designers - This study may provide insights to these professionals in planning and designing intergenerational spaces that are more inclusive and age-friendly.
● Government and Policy Makers - The findings of this study can inform policy decisions related to social services, healthcare, and housing for orphaned children and the elderly, especially since the Department of Social Welfare and Development recognizes the importance of the promotion of Intergenerational programs in communities.
● Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Advocacy groups - These organizations can adapt this study's findings to improve or innovate their programs and initiatives to assist orphaned children and senior citizens.
● Future Researchers - This study might be helpful in the academic discussion of actualizing the intergenerational approach in the built environment for the vulnerable and marginalized sectors of society, which are the orphaned children and the elderly and could be expanded upon by other researchers to delve further into the topic.
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