Features of the social and built environment that contribute to the well-being of people with dementia who live at home: A scoping review.

Jodi Sturge,Allyson Jones,Susanna Nordin,Marie Elf,Louise Meijering,France Légaré,Divya Sussana Patil

doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2020.102483

Abstract

This scoping review summarizes findings from 23 qualitative articles on how social and built environments contribute to the well-being of people with dementia who live at home. Through thematic analysis, two themes were identified: i) connection to society and supportive relationships and ii) interaction with natural environments and public space. Features of the social and built environment contribute to well-being both positively and negatively. Future research should explore how these features intersect in an urban-rural context as a basis to inform the development of dementia-friendly initiatives. Moreover, involving people with dementia in the design of features of built environments, such as infrastructure, will result in more inclusive communities.

Highlights

As the population ages, more people with dementia will live at home and less will be cared for in institutional settings (Ansah et al, 2017; Macdonald and Cooper, 2007)
Recruiting par ticipants based on experiencing memory issues is an inclusive approach to dementia research: the results reflect a range of experiences related to dementia-related symptoms, not necessarily a formal diagnosis (Hellstrom et al, 2007; Michalowsky et al, 2016; Novek and Wilkinson, 2017; Sturge et al, 2020)
A quiet neighborhood atmosphere can cause a person with dementia to feel insecure and affect their well-being (#16). This scoping review summarizes research findings on how people with dementia perceive features of social and built environment and how interaction with these features contribute to the well-being of people with dementia who live at home

Summary

Introduction

More people with dementia will live at home and less will be cared for in institutional settings (Ansah et al, 2017; Macdonald and Cooper, 2007). Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, accounting for approximately 80% of cases (Alzheimer’s Association, 2019). The probability of developing all types of dementia increases with age from 1% at age 60 to 40% at age 85 (Bolla et al, 2000). Emotional and physical symptoms of dementia are diverse and often intensify as the disease progresses. People in the early stages of dementia can function independently with some assis tance, but as the disease progresses, they often require more support with their activities of daily living (Dua et al, 2017)

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