The Built Environment’s Role in Supporting Dementia Inclusive Communities: A Case Study of Canterbury‐Bankstown City

Karamacoska, D; Shatnawi, E; Caballero, G; Woodward, J; Vu, TH; Pham, HTN; Morrison, N; Siette, J; Steiner‐Lim, GZ; DiGiacomo, M; Dadich, A; Alliance, CD

The Built Environment’s Role in Supporting Dementia Inclusive Communities: A Case Study of Canterbury‐Bankstown City

Karamacoska, D Shatnawi, E Caballero, G Woodward, J Vu, TH Pham, HTN Morrison, N Siette, J Steiner‐Lim, GZ DiGiacomo, M

Dadich, A Alliance, CD

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Publisher:: Wiley
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Alzheimer's & Dementia, 2023, 19, (S19)
Issue Date:: 2023-12

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Karamacoska, D
dc.contributor.author	Shatnawi, E
dc.contributor.author	Caballero, G
dc.contributor.author	Woodward, J
dc.contributor.author	Vu, TH
dc.contributor.author	Pham, HTN
dc.contributor.author	Morrison, N
dc.contributor.author	Siette, J
dc.contributor.author	Steiner‐Lim, GZ
dc.contributor.author	DiGiacomo, M https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5484-8224
dc.contributor.author	Dadich, A
dc.contributor.author	Alliance, CD
dc.date.accessioned	2024-01-15T06:15:36Z
dc.date.available	2024-01-15T06:15:36Z
dc.date.issued	2023-12
dc.identifier.citation	Alzheimer's & Dementia, 2023, 19, (S19)
dc.identifier.issn	1552-5260
dc.identifier.issn	1552-5279
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/174497
dc.description.abstract	<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>Background</jats:title><jats:p>Inclusive and enabling cities are fundamental to the wellbeing of people impacted by dementia. How we implement these ideals in multicultural communities through the built environment remains understudied. The experience of place must be considered in the context of dementia‐friendly community (DFC) models to fully enable people experiencing dementia to remain autonomous, integrated, and connected. This study aimed to explore how diverse individuals with dementia perceive the built environment and its impacts on everyday activities using a mixed methods approach.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Method</jats:title><jats:p>This study was set in Canterbury‐Bankstown, New South Wales, Australia where a high proportion of people impacted by dementia speak English, Arabic, and/or Vietnamese. Seventeen people experiencing dementia, their care partners, and former carers (English: n = 7; Arabic: n = 5; Vietnamese: n = 5) were recruited for a semi‐structured interview, and two of these dyads (English: n = 1; Vietnamese n = 1) audited a local shopping centre and hospital using the DFC‐environmental assessment tool (DFC‐EAT). Interviews and audits were conducted in‐language with bilingual researchers, who then transcribed the data into English for analysis. Similarities and differences were identified across the interview transcripts and audit data to identify issues with the existing built environment and improvement opportunities.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Result</jats:title><jats:p>We found that participants would limit or avoid going outdoors for everyday activities because of safety concerns (especially when using paths and carparks). Furthermore, overwhelming indoor experiences were characterised by unfamiliar designs and fittings (particularly with bathroom facilities), unsupported movement and way‐finding due to excessive or insufficient signage, poor lighting, and high noise. Participants recommended greater access to door‐to‐door transport that caters to people experiencing dementia, establishing quiet resting areas, and improving navigation through signage that uses standardised symbols (e.g., for toilet facilities).</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title><jats:p>People experiencing dementia and carers reported an array of issues concerning built environment design and accessibility features that excluded them from everyday activities. These findings were translated into an implementation plan that informed the City of Canterbury‐Bankstown Council’s community planning efforts and the shopping centre’s facility operations. Critical areas for improvement in the built environment would benefit from co‐design practices that are inclusive and representative of the community.</jats:p></jats:sec>
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Wiley
dc.relation.ispartof	Alzheimer's & Dementia
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1002/alz.079224
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	1103 Clinical Sciences, 1109 Neurosciences
dc.subject.classification	Geriatrics
dc.subject.classification	3202 Clinical sciences
dc.subject.classification	3209 Neurosciences
dc.subject.classification	5202 Biological psychology
dc.title	The Built Environment’s Role in Supporting Dementia Inclusive Communities: A Case Study of Canterbury‐Bankstown City
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	19
utslib.for	1103 Clinical Sciences
utslib.for	1109 Neurosciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/IMPACCT
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2024-01-15T06:15:35Z
pubs.issue	S19
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	19
utslib.citation.issue	S19

Abstract:

AbstractBackgroundInclusive and enabling cities are fundamental to the wellbeing of people impacted by dementia. How we implement these ideals in multicultural communities through the built environment remains understudied. The experience of place must be considered in the context of dementia‐friendly community (DFC) models to fully enable people experiencing dementia to remain autonomous, integrated, and connected. This study aimed to explore how diverse individuals with dementia perceive the built environment and its impacts on everyday activities using a mixed methods approach.MethodThis study was set in Canterbury‐Bankstown, New South Wales, Australia where a high proportion of people impacted by dementia speak English, Arabic, and/or Vietnamese. Seventeen people experiencing dementia, their care partners, and former carers (English: n = 7; Arabic: n = 5; Vietnamese: n = 5) were recruited for a semi‐structured interview, and two of these dyads (English: n = 1; Vietnamese n = 1) audited a local shopping centre and hospital using the DFC‐environmental assessment tool (DFC‐EAT). Interviews and audits were conducted in‐language with bilingual researchers, who then transcribed the data into English for analysis. Similarities and differences were identified across the interview transcripts and audit data to identify issues with the existing built environment and improvement opportunities.ResultWe found that participants would limit or avoid going outdoors for everyday activities because of safety concerns (especially when using paths and carparks). Furthermore, overwhelming indoor experiences were characterised by unfamiliar designs and fittings (particularly with bathroom facilities), unsupported movement and way‐finding due to excessive or insufficient signage, poor lighting, and high noise. Participants recommended greater access to door‐to‐door transport that caters to people experiencing dementia, establishing quiet resting areas, and improving navigation through signage that uses standardised symbols (e.g., for toilet facilities).ConclusionPeople experiencing dementia and carers reported an array of issues concerning built environment design and accessibility features that excluded them from everyday activities. These findings were translated into an implementation plan that informed the City of Canterbury‐Bankstown Council’s community planning efforts and the shopping centre’s facility operations. Critical areas for improvement in the built environment would benefit from co‐design practices that are inclusive and representative of the community.

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