Establishing a Senior House Service Design Guideline: Applied Universal Design Theory on a Rural Senior House in Northern Anhui, China

Background : With the rapid aging of rural populations, senior houses play an increasingly important role in delivering semi-independent care. However, many lack structured service systems, resulting in unmet user needs. This study aims to explore how universal design (UD) theory can inform the development of a service design guideline, focusing on the context of rural senior houses in Anhui, China, in order to address these gaps that support safe, accessible, and dignified living environments for elderly users.<br/>Methods : The study employed a mixed-method approach. First, 20 service elements relevant to daily life in rural senior houses were identified through service blueprinting and literature review. These were then evaluated through expert consultation using the Content Validity Ratio (CVR) method and mapped against the seven universal design principles (P1–P7). To assess user perception and to prioritize service improvement, a Kano model-based questionnaire was conducted among residents and caregivers. The findings were analyzed to categorize service attributes and to guide practical recommendations for design enhancement.<br/> Results : The integration of the Kano model with CVR evaluation revealed significant differences in how users perceive various service elements. Several “Must-be” and “One-dimensional” attributes emerged, indicating essential baseline services versus optional offerings. The mapping with UD principles highlighted priority areas where accessibility and usability could be improved. Findings suggest that strategic alignment of UD with service design enables more dignified, effective care delivery in rural settings and supports informed decision-making for resource-limited senior house operators.<br/> Conclusions : This research bridges universal design methods with practical elderly care needs, contextualized within rural senior houses in Anhui, China, and offers an exploratory guideline derived from a limited case study. The study helps providers to prioritize interventions under limited resources and to improve the overall service experience. Future studies should focus on validation through long-term field testing and explore interdisciplinary and technological enhancements.