Wellbeing: A Complete Reference Guide, Volume II, Wellbeing and the Environment

8

A Step Too Far? Designing Dementia-Friendly Neighborhoods

Lynne Mitchell

University of Warwick, U.K.

Introduction

The global aging of the population has led to an increase in the numbers of people with dementia as the likelihood of developing dementia increases with age: prevalence rates increase from 1 in 25 between the ages of 70 and 79 to 1 in 6 over the age of 80, and 1 in 3 over the age of 95. Dementia generally follows a pattern of slow progressive cognitive decline accompanied by gradual and erratic physical deterioration (Goldsmith, 1996; Perrin & May, 2000). Caused by a number of illnesses, such as Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body disease, dementia can lead to cognitive, behavioral, and personality changes including spatial and temporal disorientation, short-term memory problems, agitation, and confusion. In poorly designed environments people with dementia often struggle to understand their surroundings, to recognize where they are or the route they should take, to remember where they are going, or to realize when they are lost. This is in addition to the physical challenges people can face as they grow older, such as hearing or visual impairments, poor mobility, and reduced strength and stamina.

There are currently 800,000 people with dementia in the United Kingdom; two-thirds live in the community, roughly a third have severe dementia, and about a fifth live alone. Most wish to remain at home for as long as possible; staying in a familiar home and neighborhood can ...