From Pleasure to Meaning: A Comparative Analysis of Hedonic and Eudaimonic Well-Being in Elderly Care Environments

Abstract

Problem Statement:
Advances in medical sciences, declining mortality rates at younger ages, transformations in urban lifestyles, and the expansion of social welfare systems have collectively contributed to a rapid and unprecedented growth of the elderly population in Iran. Improvements in healthcare infrastructure, preventive medicine, and living standards have significantly increased life expectancy, thereby altering the demographic structure of the country. Statistical evidence indicates that the population aged over 60, which exceeded four million in 1996, has been steadily rising and is projected to approach what scholars describe as a forthcoming “aging explosion” in the coming years. This demographic transition is not merely a quantitative shift but represents a profound structural transformation with far-reaching social, economic, and spatial implications.
Simultaneously, traditional family-based caregiving systems have gradually weakened due to industrialization, urban migration, smaller household sizes, and the widespread employment of both men and women. As extended family structures give way to nuclear households and professional commitments limit the availability of informal caregivers, nursing homes have increasingly become one of the primary residential settings for older adults. Consequently, these environments are no longer temporary or marginal spaces but central living environments that directly shape the daily experiences, emotional states, and overall life satisfaction of their residents.
Within this context, the central issue addressed in the present study concerns the extent to which residential environments for older adults are capable of responding to the multidimensional aspects of well-being. While many existing facilities emphasize physical safety and medical care, the broader dimensions of well-being—including psychological comfort, social connectedness, and spiritual fulfillment—often receive insufficient attention. Therefore, a critical question emerges: how can interior design move beyond functional adequacy to create conditions that cultivate a genuine “sense of well-being” and enhance overall quality of life? Addressing this question requires a comprehensive understanding of well-being as a construct that encompasses both hedonic aspects (pleasure, comfort, and immediate satisfaction) and eudaimonic dimensions (meaning, purpose, and self-realization).

Research Objective:
The objective of this study is to identify and analyze the key components influencing the well-being of older adults and to translate these components into practical and applicable strategies for the interior design of nursing homes. Emphasis is placed on promoting optimal living conditions that support not only physical comfort but also psychological resilience, social engagement, and existential meaning. By bridging theoretical perspectives on well-being with spatial and design interventions, the study seeks to provide a structured framework through which interior architecture can actively contribute to improving the lived experiences of elderly residents. In this sense, the research does not merely describe well-being but aims to operationalize it within the realm of environmental design.

Research Questions:
In pursuit of this objective, the principal research questions are as follows:
What are the components that influence elderly well-being?
What characteristics should a nursing home possess in order to foster a positive sense of well-being and improve quality of life?
These questions reflect a dual focus: first, the identification and prioritization of well-being dimensions; and second, the translation of these dimensions into spatial and environmental attributes. The study thereby establishes a direct connection between theoretical constructs and practical design criteria.

Methodology:
The present research adopts an analytical–applied approach, drawing upon both theoretical investigations and quantitative data analysis. Initially, a comprehensive review of relevant literature enabled the extraction of the major dimensions and subdimensions of well-being. Based on these findings, a conceptual framework was developed to organize the identified components into coherent categories. Subsequently, a structured questionnaire instrument was designed to assess the perceived importance and priority of each component from the perspective of respondents. Statistical analysis was employed to evaluate the relative weight of each dimension and to determine patterns of significance.
Following the quantitative assessment, the subcomponents associated with each dimension were systematically translated into corresponding interior design strategies. This step ensured that the relationship between well-being theory and spatial intervention was not abstract but methodically articulated. In other words, the study moves from conceptual clarification to empirical prioritization and finally to design application, thereby establishing a logical and sequential research process.

Conclusion:
The findings indicate that elderly well-being is a multidimensional construct encompassing physical, psychological, social, and spiritual domains. It cannot be reduced to mere physical comfort or medical adequacy; rather, it involves the integration of bodily health, emotional stability, interpersonal relationships, and a sense of meaning and purpose. Accordingly, the design of nursing homes must address these dimensions in an integrated and holistic manner. A fragmented or purely functional approach is insufficient to support the complex needs of aging individuals.
The interdisciplinary model proposed in this study provides a foundation for the creation of dynamic, safe, meaningful, and human-centered environments. By aligning spatial organization, material selection, lighting, social interaction areas, and contemplative spaces with the identified dimensions of well-being, interior design can play a transformative role in enhancing life satisfaction during the later stages of life. Ultimately, the research underscores that environments designed for older adults should not merely accommodate aging but actively support flourishing—facilitating both pleasure and meaning in everyday living.

Keywords: Design; Older Adults; Nursing Home; Well-Being