title: The relationship between the quality of the built environment and the quality of life of people with dementia in residential care.
abstract: While there is considerable evidence on the impact of specific design features on problems associated with dementia, the link between the quality of the built environment and quality of life of people with dementia is largely unexplored. This study explored the environmental and personal characteristics that are associated with quality of life in people with dementia living in residential aged care. Data were obtained from 275 residents of 35 aged care homes and analysed using linear regression. The quality of the built environment was significantly associated with the quality of life of the resident measured by global self-report. Environmental ratings were not associated with proxy or detailed self-report ratings. Higher quality of life is associated with buildings that facilitate engagement with a variety of activities both inside and outside, are familiar, provide a variety of private and community spaces and the amenities and opportunities to take part in domestic activities.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health, University of Wollongong, Australia rfleming@uow.edu.au.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fleming
authors.affiliation: Dementia Collaborative Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Belinda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Goodenough
authors.affiliation: Dementia Collaborative Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Lee-Fay
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Low
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, University of Technology, Australia.
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chenoweth
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brodaty
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology*; D004779:Environment Design; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D005260:Female; D006272:Health Facility Environment / Q000592:standards*; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D057566:Self Report
keywords: built environment; dementia; quality of environment; quality of life