Exploring facilitators and barriers of the neighbourhood built environment for people living with early-stage dementia
Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: Majority of research examining the impact of the built environment on people with dementia focuses on institutional settings, while the role of the community built environment is largely ignored.Using a mixed-methods approach this study examined the effect of the neighbourhood built environment on mobility and community participation of people with early-stage dementia.A conceptual framework was developed to represent key concepts and their interrelationships.The findings reveal that challenges to mobility and participation include: leaving the comfort zone, safety, a changing skillset, and losing their license.Environmental features that affected mobility and participation included: pedestrian-friendly areas, wayfinding support, and the availability of dementia-friendly destinations.Mobility and participation in community spaces provided: maintenance of lifestyle in a time of loss, personal freedom, and a sense of normalcy.These findings demonstrate the need for responsive planning and design of neighbourhoods to foster mobility and community participation in people with dementia.
Source: Summit (Simon Fraser University)
Author: Riley Malvern
Language: English
Subfield: Transportation
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2947035860