(2025)
Cultivating identity in
long-term care homes
Working with the Banfield long term care home in Vancouver to cultivate a sense of connection to cultural identity for residents.
CO-DESIGNED WITH
SAANVI BHAT
CLARA MONTIERO
BANFIELD RESIDENTS
PROCESS
Over the course of four months, our team collaborated with three residents of the Banfield Pavilion long-term care home to explore and support the expression of their cultural identities within a residential care setting. Through regular visits, we engaged in conversations centered on how each individual understood and expressed their identity — culturally, narratively, and stylistically — and how those expressions could be meaningfully integrated into their daily living environment.
To support these conversations, we arrived at each visit with a variety of materials designed to spark connection and storytelling. These included photographs, maps, culturally relevant objects, activity cards, and other tactile prompts tailored to each resident’s background and interests. These tools allowed us to create space for personal expression and build trust, even in the face of communication barriers.
The process was not without its challenges. We navigated varying levels of verbal communication, memory loss, and differing degrees of willingness to engage in the activities. These complexities required us to adapt our approach to each individual, often relying on non-verbal cues, creative engagement strategies, and deep listening. Despite these challenges, the project provided valuable insights into how long-term care spaces can better reflect and support the diverse cultural identities of their residents.
Building on these foundational conversations, we worked collaboratively with each resident to translate their cultural narratives into tangible design elements and ideas that could be incorporated into their immediate living spaces. This included visual mood boards, co-created art pieces, and spatial sketches that reflected their preferences, memories, and personal stories. The goal was not to impose a uniform solution, but rather to co-design elements that felt authentic and resonant for each individual — drawing from their lived experiences and cultural backgrounds.
This phase of the project emphasized personalization and co-creation, reinforcing the belief that long-term care environments should not only meet residents’ physical needs but also affirm their identities. In some cases, residents gravitated toward familiar colors or imagery tied to their homeland; in others, certain materials or textures evoked meaningful past experiences. These subtle yet significant cues became the basis for small, implementable interventions that could foster a deeper sense of comfort and belonging.
Ultimately, this work highlighted the potential of culturally attuned design practices to enhance the emotional and psychological well-being of residents in long-term care. While the process required sensitivity, adaptability, and patience, it also affirmed the importance of seeing residents not just as recipients of care, but as individuals with rich, evolving identities deserving of expression and recognition in the places they call home.
