The way in which we plan and design our communities, houses, and care settings plays a crucial role in determining the quality of life and well-being of individuals living with dementia. This field of design encompasses the architecture of buildings, interior and outdoor spaces, and technological innovations. Current research highlights the importance of creating environments that promote independence, safety, and meaningful engagement for people with dementia. However, there are still significant gaps in understanding how these spaces are conceptualized and utilized by people with dementia, their care partners and support networks. Recent studies have shown that well-designed environments can reduce the need for restrictive practices and pharmacological interventions. Despite these advancements, there is a pressing need for more comprehensive research that places the individual, their type of dementia, its progression, and complexity at the heart of environmental design.

Goal
This Research Topic aims to investigate innovative strategies, best practices, evidence-based approaches, and the voice of lived experience to inform the creation of environments that optimize functioning, autonomy, quality of life and well-being for people with dementia. Our main objectives of this collection of articles include addressing questions about the impact of environmental design on physical and emotional well-being, assessing the role of assistive technologies, and exploring the psychosocial aspects of design. Additionally, this Research Topic will seek to include articles on the effectiveness of design features in care practices, activity engagement, staff training, and interdisciplinary approaches.

Scope and information for authors
To gather further insights into the environmental design for people with dementia, we welcome the submission of diverse types of manuscripts supported by the journal (including Original Research, Review, Brief Research Report, etc.) addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Environmental Design Features: Investigating the impact of architectural, interior, and outdoor space design on functioning, social engagement, and well-being.
- Assistive Technologies: Assessing innovative technologies and smart home solutions.
- Psychosocial Aspects: Exploring the social and psychological influences of design.
- Specialist Services: Design features for specific cohorts and stages of dementia.
- Implementation Strategies: Analysis of design policy, guidelines, and challenges.
- Staff Training, Education, and Practice: Importance of training on environmental design principles.
- Interdisciplinary Approaches: Collaboration between different disciplines to develop holistic approaches to design. This may involve interdisciplinary studies that integrate insights from neurology, social sciences, psychology, nursing, and psychotherapy.
- Ethical Considerations: Exploring privacy, autonomy, and safety in design.

Manuscripts focused on research in engineering, technical design, architecture, interior/outdoor design not included in the criteria above are not within the scope of this Research Topic.

Articles accepted after peer review will be published and appear online as soon as accepted for publication.

The Topic Editors and the journal team would like to express their profound gratitude to Sally Grosvenor for her valuable contribution in organizing this Research Topic project.

Dr. Nathan D'Cunha has received funding from "Community Home Australia" to support a PhD scholarship. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject.

Impact

Frontiers in Dementia

Dementia Care