The physical environment for people with dementia
This review examines effects of the built environment and elements therein on people with dementia. Dementia diseases lead to degrees of disabilities that progressively involve caretakers up to stages of complete helplessness and is at present the most common reason for transfer of elderly to care p...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | eBook |
| Language: | English |
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Oslo
Norwegian Knowledge Centre for the Health Services
May 2009, 2009
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| Collection: | National Center for Biotechnology Information - Collection details see MPG.ReNa |
| Summary: | This review examines effects of the built environment and elements therein on people with dementia. Dementia diseases lead to degrees of disabilities that progressively involve caretakers up to stages of complete helplessness and is at present the most common reason for transfer of elderly to care programs. 80% of insitutionalized elderly in Norway have cognitive impairments. We have summarized results from 8 systematic reviews and 11 primary studies on the therapeutic design of environments for people with dementia. The results should be interpreted cautiously because of methodological limitations in the present studies. Adaptations in the physical environment can lead to positive effects on activities of daily life, behaviors, and quality of life. The overall configuration of a building can affect level of orientation amongst people with dementia. Uniqueness in common rooms, short corridors, calm surroundings and few decision points eased orientation. Less combined multiuse spaces, greater variation and less crowding resulted in less cognitive stress, depression and social isolation amongst Alzheimers patients. Single rooms with the opportunity for individual and home-like character, personal furnishing and objects resulted in less psychiatric symptoms. Highly accessible toilets (visible, open-door and close to bed and common rooms) led to increased use among residents. The physical environment has not been shown to affect the progression of dementia. Purpose-built environment has positive effects on quality of life Spatial orientation and accessability was better in small grouped units with associated common places. Neutral design and colours, and low sensory stimulus are associated with fewer catastrophe reactions and less medication. Visual modification and adaptions can lead wanderers to move in safe areas. There is some evidence to support camouflaging exit door or doorknob against elopement. There were not significant effects of preventing falls amongst people with dementia. Signs and colour codes have small effects on people with cognitive impairments, depending on degree of dementia. Increasing environmental lighting (towards daylight levels) reduced behavioural disturbances, supported spatial orientation and had a modest effect on length of sleep. Small units with a noninstitutional environment gave less behavioural challenges among people with dementia, but specific features are ill-defined. |
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| Item Description: | English summary excerpted from full report in Norwegian: Botilbud til mennesker med demens. - Excerpt from Systematic review no. 11-2009 |
| Physical Description: | 1 PDF file (7 pages) |
| ISBN: | 9788281212657 |