Enhancing Dementia Wellness: Evaluating the Role of Design in Ugandan Built Environments (78933)
Session Chair: Derick Kwizera
Wednesday, 27 March 2024 15:50
Session: Session 4
Room: Room 603
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
This research focuses on the critical intersection between design, dementia, and the built environment, with a specific emphasis on Uganda. As the global prevalence of dementia escalates, the study underscores the imperative role of architectural design in enhancing the quality of life for dementia patients and their caregivers. The World Health Organization identifies dementia as a significant challenge for the aging population, affecting 55.2 million individuals worldwide, with a projected increase to 139 million by 2050. In the context of Uganda, where the number of older persons is notably high, the study addresses the dearth of attention to dementia-friendly design interventions.b Mitchell and Burton's findings underscore the pivotal role of well-designed environments in facilitating healing, outdoor interaction, and improved cognitive and sensory capabilities for dementia patients. However, little has been explored regarding the specific needs of dementia patients in Uganda, particularly in regions like South-Western Uganda, which has witnessed a surge in dementia cases. This research adopts a mixed-methods approach, employing qualitative methods to investigate the perspectives of dementia patients and caregivers on the potential impact of architectural design on patients' livelihoods. Structured open-ended interviews and observational data collection methods will inform the qualitative analysis, subsequently subjected to quantitative assessment through Likert scale ratings and statistical iterations. The study aims to unveil the link between design and dementia wellness, contextualise dementia design procedures, and highlight the sociocultural dimensions influencing dementia architecture in the Ugandan context.
Authors:
Derick Kwizera, Uganda Martyrs University, Uganda
See this presentation on the full schedule – Wednesday Schedule
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