Chapter 9 - An Empowering Dementia Environment

Summary

A beneficial environment is of utmost importance for the well-being of people with dementia. This environment comprises different aspects and levels. We start the chapter with a discussion on the importance of relationship-centred care, as a more holistic alternative to person-centred care. One way to put this concept into practice, is by using the ‘Senses Framework’. We continue with a description of how architecture can be favourable for people with dementia by taking them into account as social beings within their cultural context. In this way architecture is more about creating a proper environment for continuing daily activities and social interaction. We subsequently elaborate on dementia-friendly communities, where persons with dementia can navigate, feel safe and maintain their social networks. Singapore is used as a case study. Importantly, technology and the “virtual” environment is taking up more and more place in our existence, and expands our natural environment. This provides us with a whole new range of possibilities for assessment and assistance in dementia. We conclude with the example of nighttime agitation, where different aspects of the social and physical environment (architecture, care, technology) interrelate with this core symptom of dementia.