Abstract:

None available. Introduction from report: Home based and community care is the preferred option for the majority of older persons, their families and carers. Thus services with a respite-effect, such as centre-based day care, are being promoted as a support that assists people with dementia and their carers. Dementia day respite care, also known as adult day care, not only provides respite to family caregivers but also therapeutic care for cognitively and physically impaired older adults (Leitsch, Zarit, Townsend & Greene, 2001). Aside from the care that staff provide and the increased opportunities to socialise, the physical environment of a dementia adult day-care centre has been recognised as an aid in caring for those with dementia (Day, Carreon & Stump, 2000). As the person with dementia’s competence decreases, the importance of the environment in determining their wellbeing increases (Brawley, 1997). As such, the design of the physical environment has come to be regarded as a therapeutic