A survey of the experience of living with dementia in a dementia friendly community

Abstract

Dementia Friendly Communities (DFCs) are one way in which people living with dementia can be supported to be active, engaged and valued citizens. Quantitative evaluations of the experiences of those with dementia living within these communities is limited. This paper reports findings from a survey of people living with dementia on their experience of living in a dementia friendly community. Two-hundred and forty people living with dementia (PLWD) took part in a cross-sectional survey in six sites across England. Around half of respondents were aware they were living in a DFC. Awareness of living in a DFC was associated with taking part in leisure activities (p=0.042), community centre attendance (p=0.009), being involved in organised activities or groups (p<0.001), feeling understood (p=0.008) and being valued for their own contributions (p=0.002). This study illustrates the potential of surveys and value of accessing PLWD through different pathways to explore the reach and impact of dementia friendly initiatives.