Abstract
Purpose: This study is to propose direction for healing environment design in hospital architecture considering the characteristics of elderly patients. The primary goal of a public hospital is providing cheap health care and quality service chance to the underprivileged and elderly in the dead zone. Compared to the rapid increase of the aged population and chronic diseases, Ministry of Health & Welfare is currently planning model of health promotion hospital in development plans of local based public hospital. Due to the increased elderly medical expenses, elderly patients' high utilization is considered. Methods: The literature on the design factors of healing environments were investigated. based on this, analyzed drawings of surveyed hospitals ward in architectural characteristics and observe and evaluate directly healing environment design through field surveys. Results: The design of hospital environment affects patient's therapeutic effect. There is no any official formula for hospital design but environment that architect create could be a big part of the healing process. To increase the quality of the environment, apply the characteristic factors and harmonize well as a human-centered healing environment. Implications: Healing environment design for the elderly is first necessary condition due to high proportion of elderly patients.