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Symposium

Interdisciplinary

Inclusive Neighborhoods to Support Outdoor Mobility and Participation of People Living With Dementia

Friday, November 15, 2024
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PST
Location: Room 213
CE: 1.5

The creation of a supportive and inclusive neighborhood is instrumental to maintaining mobility and social participation of people living with dementia in the community. Achieving this objective requires a clear understanding of how the condition of dementia shapes people’s use of streets and outdoor spaces, and how neighborhood built environmental features influence movement and activity of people living with dementia. This understanding is fairly limited in current research and practice, owing to the paucity of empirical evidence, as well as evidence-based resources that can guide decision-making and planning. These research gaps are addressed in a multi-site, mixed-methods study in British Columbia, Canada, titled “Dementia-inclusive Spaces for Community Access, Participation, and Engagement (DemSCAPE)”. The aims of this study are to 1) explore the outdoor mobility patterns and experiences of people living with dementia in the community, and the role of the neighborhood built environment in shaping their mobility and participation In outdoor activities, and 2) develop evidence-based resources that can guide dementia-friendly and inclusive planning and design. This symposium will also present findings from the knowledge generation and knowledge mobilization phases of the DemSCAPE study. Knowledge generated in the study is based on qualitative and quantitative analyses of data collected with participants living with dementia and care partners in British Columbia. Knowledge mobilization activities involve three key resources developed in our project: documentary video, photo exhibit, and dementia-inclusive planning and design guide. Together, these five presentations offer insights that can guide stakeholders in creating dementia-friendly and inclusive outdoor spaces.

Learning Objectives:

  • 1. Identify the influence of neighborhood built environment on mobility and participation for people living with dementia and their care partners in the community.
  • 2. Apply innovative research methods in community-engaged research with people living with dementia and their care partners.
  • 4. Incorporate public engagement tools for dialogue and challenging stigma surrounding living with dementia in the community.

Presentations:

  • 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PST
    Exploring the Neighborhood Environment's Role in Outdoor Walking Experiences of People Living With Dementia

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Habib Chaudhury, PhD, FGSA (he/him/his) – Simon Fraser University

  • 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PST
    Engaging With Municipal Planners With a Dementia-Inclusive Planning and Design Guide

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Kishore Seetharaman, MS (he/him/his) – Simon Fraser University

  • 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PST
    Exploring Factors Influencing Walking Activity in People With Dementia: A Spatial Analysis in Metro Vancouver
  • 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PST
    Fostering Dementia Inclusive Neighborhoods: A GIS Analysis of Neighborhood Walkability for Persons With Dementia

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Shannon Freeman, PhD (she/her/hers) – University of Northern British Columbia

  • 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PST
    Knowledge Mobilization to Create Dementia-Inclusive Neighborhoods: An Educational and Awareness-Raising Video

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Cari Randa-Beaulieu, MA, CPG, DVATI (she/her/hers) – Alzheimer Society of British Columbia