Therapeutic habitat. Interior design as a tool to develop solutions to enhance the effectiveness of Non-Pharmacological Therapies for Alzheimer's disease

This research investigates the role of interior design in the enhancement of the effectiveness of Non-Pharmacological therapies for Alzheimer’s Disease. Alzheimer’s Disease is a neurodegenerative disease and, specifically, and represents the most common form of dementia that causes memory and cognitive impairments, and behavioural symptoms, severe enough to interfere with daily life, and lessen the ability to live independently. It’s a long process with a potential duration of 20 years or even longer, after being diagnosed. Non-Pharmacological Therapies, combined with drug medications, can significantly improve people with dementia’s condition, enhancing their well-being and quality of life. Inside this perspective, the environment can be considered as one important Non-Pharmacological treatment modality, as it can reduce behavioural disturbances, and act as a sort of “prosthesis” in the compensation of losses and cognitive deficits. The environment is composed not only by physical features, but, moreover, by social and cultural ones. The physical environment it is strictly connected to features, such as ambiance, safety and security of the patients, but also accessibility and comfort. Social environment is intended as the deep meaningful social relationships that surround people with dementia, including family members, caregivers, other residents, relatives, friends, etc. Hence, the cultural aspect of the environment refers to the system of beliefs, ideals, customs and values recognized as own by each patient. The last stages of dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease require the hospitalization of people with dementia, due to the severe symptoms that occur to them. The transfer from ones home to a care facility, or day care regime, is mostly caused by severe behavioural disturbances that lead caregivers to a sort of “inability” to take care of their relatives, and depends on the public care services provided and the availability of family care. When the environment surrounding them is new and difficult to understand, people with dementia get lost more easily than most people, looking for something they even can’t figure out, agitated and stressed, and even behaving aggressively in some situations. This is related to the “sense of identity”, and moreover, the “sense of belonging” towards the context an individual is living in. The sense of belonging, intrinsic of every individual, is mined in people with dementia, when they experience a transition from their home, to a care facility, or generally, to a new living environment. It represents, not only a personal sense of being part of a certain context, but also, the feeling of being accepted as an individual with own unique needs for personal space and companionship. The lack of the sense of belonging towards the living environment, causes in people with dementia anxiety and stress, that are expressed through purposeless wandering, aggressive and suspicious behaviour, agitation, vocalisms, repeated movements, and other “unusual” behaviours. The result is a decreased well-being, and a poor quality of life. The main research hypothesis is focused on defining a specific environmental interventions that can help people with dementia to decode and recognize the environment, in a context different from the familiar one; identify environmental interventions that can help decreasing wayfinding problems, increasing independence, and self-confidence in the patients. In essence, aim of this research is to define the conceptual model of “Therapeutic Habitat”, meant as a fluid system, based on tangible and intangible aspects; products and furniture, technical equipment, instruments, objects, services. A system of environmental devices/tools, that can enhance the comfort perceived by the patients, solve temporary problematic situations, support activities related to Non-Pharmacological therapies. Therefore, people with dementia, due to their loss of capabilities caused by the disease, need certain environmental conditions, or features, to continue living their life, even when the disease worsen, with a high degree of comfort, well-being and dignity. Moreover, the research provides, in its conclusions, a set of guidelines for designers approaching the design of environments for people with dementia, defining specific environmental intervention and strategies in the field of interior design, aimed at the enhancement of the effectiveness of Non-Pharmacological therapies. As a last conclusion, the research proposes a concept for a day-night care centre for dementia, under the name of Alzheimer Point, in which Non-Pharmacological interventions are activated in the form of a daily-living and residential support, for people with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. Each intervention is meant to be modulated according to individual’s abilities and needs. Alzheimer Point is meant to represent a point of reference for dementia care, in a specific geographical area, as it provides medical assessment and assistance, information and support to caregivers, and a comfortable living environment, in the form of a care centre.