Discoveries in the Making
The breadth and range of the University of Ottawa's research - from cardiovascular disease to second-language acquisition - impacts on the daily lives of Canadians. Read our short profiles to find out about current research and what could be the next major breakthrough.
Giving people with dementia a pleasant place to live
People suffering from advanced stages of dementia may have a tendency to wander, be agitated and resist care. Their behaviour can jeopardize their quality of life and can cause enormous stress for themselves and their loved ones.
Some long-term homes have designed special units to help reduce these disruptive behaviors and increase residents’ quality of life.
Designs often include barrier-free rooms and corridors, homey environments, common living rooms to encourage interaction, safe outdoor areas, and kitchens with open access to residents.
Linda Garcia, the Director of the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Program, is involved in a study aimed at demonstrating the extent to which architectural design features relate to the levels of disruptive behaviors in patients with dementia. The goal is to develop a theory about whether the social and personal environments found within these settings promote greater positive interactions among residents, staff, and visitors. The study is set in locations in Toronto, Calgary and Ottawa and was funded by the Alzheimer Society of Canada.
Garcia and her research partners measured the behavior and severity of dementia, gathered information about architectural design features, looked at incidence reports and staffing levels, examined communication skills between staff and residents, gauged noise level, conducted focus groups and observed residents in these environments. The data is still being analyzed, but so far Garcia and her colleagues have found that one of the most important elements for improved quality of life relates to the approach and consistency demonstrated by the staff.
