부산대학교 도서관

Background and Objectives The important role that the environment plays in the lives of older people is widely acknowledged. To date, little is known about person–environment processes during the early stages of dementia. This scoping review aims to provide an overview of the processes involved during early dementia and the relationship to different dimensions of their life space. Research Design and Methods A scoping review was conducted according to the Johanna Briggs Institute Manual, which involved searching for research on early dementia and the environment across 3 databases. Results A total of 1,358 records were screened, with 284 sources included in the first categorization of the diverse relationships that exist between the environment and the person living with early dementia. Finally, 102 sources were selected that describe person–environment exchange processes of agency, belonging, or stress. People living with dementia actively shape, use, seek out, and avoid their environment as a reaction to both declining abilities and environmental barriers. Specifically, feelings of connectedness and familiarity are important. Discussion and Implications Taking both an environmental gerontology perspective and a processual, that is, transition perspective broadens the understanding of the experience and behavior of people living with early dementia. They constantly interact with and shape their environment and desire a sense of belonging. This sense of belonging might be threatened by dementia but can be actively reinforced by people living with dementia. These person–environment processes and their dynamics over time should be further investigated. Especially, quantitative data and data on socioeconomic environments are lacking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]