Thesis (BS Architecture) -- University of the Philippines Mindanao, 2006

Human beings are territorial in nature. There is always a certain amount of distance that is maintained when dealing with other people, much like a bubble surrounding each person. Done consciously but usually unconsciously, this personal space determines how big the ?bubble? each person has. Edward T. Hall formulated categories on these distances. Several factors such as age, gender, setting arrangement, degree of relationship and anthropometrics were used in the study and was found out that they contribute greatly on how near or far the interpersonal distance or someone is. Determining an elderly interpersonal distance with simple observation is possible. Observations, informal interviews and photo documentation were some of the methods applied to verify the factors that affect these distances. After thorough observations and testing of hypothesis, a new range of interpersonal distances for the elderly is concluded. Guidelines for a non-medical health care facility for the elderly are put together. The new interpersonal distance range is applied on it to help improve physical comfort and communication among them.