Environment as non pharmacological intervention in the care of Alzheimer’s disease

The physical environment can reduce dysfunctional symptoms and behaviours, if the information needed to understand the environment is embedded in the environment itself. Moreover, the environment is regarded as a therapeutic aid, able to enhance well-being among people with dementia. The actual medical model of dementia care is focused on impairments and lost capabilities; considering these features as the focus of care makes hard to aim at enhancing people's with dementia well-being. Hence, focusing on the experience of living with dementia, enables designers to create care environments that accomplish dementia needs. Methods. Through interview sessions with caregivers and professionals, we delineated a set of design guidelines, for supportive environments tailored for people withdementia. Objectives. The purpose of this study is to analyse how design can promote well-being through the creation of physical environments for people with dementia that are psychologically supportive in order to manage the major stress accompanying illness.