A Study on Environment-related Factors that Promote Wayfinding for People with Dementia - Focused on the Context of Long-term Care Facilities for People with Dementia

Abstract

Purpose : The main objective of this paper is, to assess a body of research evidence that articulates the impact of environment-related factors on wayfinding for people with dementia who reside in Long-term care Facilities. The study also aims at identifying design implications that can be incorporated into design process and design decisions to improve wayfinding abilities for people with dementia. Methods : Comprehensive literature review has been conducted to identify empirical studies and carefully investigated peer-reviewed articles published in many different fields including architecture, psychology, nursing to gerontology. Results : The review found a growing body of studies that identified environment-related factors that improve wayfinding of people with Dementia living in long-term care facilities. Implications : The findings of the review can be considered as design guidelines to support the wayfinding abilities of people with dementia living in long-term care Facilities.