The Effect of Seoul Dementia Healing Design Project on Cognition and Social Engagement.

Abstract

Background and PurposeRapid population aging and an increase in the demented elderly became major social concerns in South Korea. Environmental design is increasingly recognized as an important aid for long-term care of patients with dementia as well as pharmacotherapy. We did a pilot study to investigate the effect of the Seoul Dementia Healing Design Project In-House Design (S-DHDP-IHD) in improving the quality of life of the cognitively impaired patients and of the S-DHDP Environmental Design (S-DHDP-ED) in increasing daily outdoor activities for cognitively impaired individuals and not cognitively impaired (NCI) elderly residents.MethodsWe applied the S-DHDP-IHD to 2 households of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early-stage vascular dementia (VD). We assessed the effectiveness of intervention by surveys and video recordings of daily tasks. Additionally, we applied the S-DHDP-ED to 5 community facilities and randomly selected 287 residents over 65 years old (32 dementia caregivers and 255 NCI elderly) to participate in surveys.ResultsS-DHDP-IHD intervention showed improved instrumental activities in MCI patient and early-stage VD patient. Also, the satisfaction with an intervened home environment was increased. Following S-DHDP-ED intervention, non-demented residents engaged in more outdoor and social activities. They were also satisfied with the function and design of the installed facilities.ConclusionsS-DHDP encompassing both home and environmental improvements was effective in readapting cognitively impaired individuals and could achieve a customized, holistic approach to dementia caregiving by means of the improved design.