Habitual Activities for People with Dementia: The Role of Interiors in Supporting Their Development after Relocating to a Care Environment

Abstract

People with dementia have pre-reactive instincts, known as bodily habits, that allow them to continue with habitual activities. According to recent research, continuing and developing habitual activities in care facilities can help individuals with dementia establish a deep-rooted sense of home. Three aspects of developing habitual activity are critical in this process: continuing habitual activities fluidly, incorporating positive interaction into these habitual activities, and carrying out these habitual activities regularly. Based on this foundation, this article discusses how the interior environment of care facilities can support these three aspects of habitual activity for people living with dementia. Three cases in a long-term care facility were in-depth examined by using the microethnography approach. The study produced four themes. These themes emphasize the importance of organizing and managing the interior environment to support dementia residents’ habitual activities. In addition, it emphasizes that caregivers and institutional regulations influence the organizational role of the interior environment.

Homing wellness: can narrative design transform living spaces for people with dementia into engaging environments enabling communication?

“…Phase 5: An initial consultation with the health professionals provided expertise to evaluate and further shape the design guidelines: (1) to be accessible people in different stages of dementia; (2) to feel comfortable (safe, well-proportioned, and ergonomic design); (3) to support feelings of confidence/familiarity and homeliness with significant meaning (familiar details, imagination triggers, and storytelling); (4) to provide a multi sensory experience (use of olfactory, tactile, and audio-visual elements); (5) to stimulate and relax (with the animated elements, music, and storytelling); (6) to foster a sense of control (easy to use interface and accessible technology); (7) to provide a trigger for interaction (embedded technology, proximity sensors, and attractive design); (8) to support feelings of safety and security (compatible with age and with proper usage specifications); (9) to make use of strengths (motion responsive interface); (10) to support the continuing use of the senses (different…”

“…In recent years, research on the impact of design that aids independence and enhances self-esteem and quality of life has increasingly demonstrated the supportive role of the care home environment towards a good life ( 5 , 6 ). Recent research begins to show the importance of the local environment in social health ( 7 ).…”