Exploring facilitators and barriers of the neighbourhood built environment for people living with early-stage dementia

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.