Dementia friendly initiatives: A state of the science review

Abstract

Background Dementia friendly initiatives share similarities with the age-friendly movement in a focus on active engagement and creating a good quality of life for older adults. Dementia friendly initiatives offer a welcoming optimistic narrative in dementia studies by embracing dignity, empowerment, and autonomy to enable well-being throughout the dementia trajectory. Purpose The purpose of this review is to explore the current science of dementia friendly initiatives, identify gaps, and inform future research. Method Quantitative, qualitative, and conceptual/theoretical peer-reviewed dementia friendly research literature were evaluated for their current evidence base and theoretical underpinnings. Results The dementia friendly initiatives research base is primarily qualitative and descriptive focused on environmental design, dementia awareness and education, and the development of dementia friendly communities. Person-centered care principles appear in dementia friendly initiatives centered in care settings. Strong interdisciplinary collaboration is present. Research is needed to determine the effect of dementia friendly initiatives on stakeholder-driven and community-based outcomes. Due to the contextual nature of dementia, the perspective of persons with dementia should be included as dementia friendly initiatives are implemented. Theory-based studies are needed to confirm dementia friendly initiative components and support rigorous evaluation. Dementia friendly initiatives broaden the lens from which dementia is viewed.

Dementia Friendly Communities in England: A scoping study

“…2 Ninety percent of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries support DFC initiatives. While there are many different kinds of DFCs, they share the common goal of ensuring that people affected by dementia (those living with the condition and their supporters and carers) can continue to be active and valued citizens.…”

“…12 Calls for recognition of the human rights of people living with dementia have been growing louder in recent years. 2 This ranges from studies on what it means to be a citizen with dementia 16,17 to evaluations of communities' activities 18 and evaluations of dementia-sensitive infrastructure such as transport and the design of public and commercial buildings. 2 This ranges from studies on what it means to be a citizen with dementia 16,17 to evaluations of communities' activities 18 and evaluations of dementia-sensitive infrastructure such as transport and the design of public and commercial buildings.…”

“…While there are many different kinds of DFCs, they share the common goal of ensuring that people affected by dementia (those living with the condition and their supporters and carers) can continue to be active and valued citizens. 2 Ninety percent of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries support DFC initiatives. 3 In individual countries, efforts to create dementia-friendly environments have been ongoing for some time, such as in Japan, 4 where initiatives can be traced back to at least 2004.…”

“…[13][14][15] There has been growing interest in the concept of DFCs, and a substantial body of research exists. 2 This ranges from studies on what it means to be a citizen with dementia 16,17 to evaluations of communities' activities 18 and evaluations of dementia-sensitive infrastructure such as transport and the design of public and commercial buildings. 19,20 Most published evaluations of DFCs were completed within the first few years of the initiatives having been set up.…”

The place for dementia‐friendly communities in England and its relationship with epidemiological need

“…Thus far, much of the research examining DFCs has been conceptual rather than empirical. This examination of provision and epidemiological need and the wider DEMCOM study currently underway is an attempt to address that gap. The United Kingdom and Japan are the only two countries with a formal nationwide programme of targeting communities to enable people with dementia to live active and integrated lives within them .…”