Mirjam Klaassens

Mirjam Klaassens is a Researcher at the Healthy Cities Research Centre for Built Environment – NoorderRuimte, affiliated with Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen, Netherlands. Her work focuses on gerontology, healthcare, and aging studies, with a particular emphasis on participatory research methods and the social dimensions of dementia care. She has collaborated on projects addressing elderly housing solutions, nursing home environments, and the integration of older adults with memory impairments into community settings.

Her research employs mixed-methods approaches, including qualitative interviews and participatory interventions, to explore topics like autonomy in healthcare, activity spaces for seniors, and social participation challenges. Publications span peer-reviewed journals like Journal of Aging Studies and Social Science and Medicine, as well as professional outlets such as Rooilijn.

Notable contributions include studies on secured nursing home wards, the impact of activity spaces on social health, and innovative housing models for aging populations. Her work has generated significant academic and policy interest, with over 125 readers citing her nursing home intervention study on platforms like Mendeley.