The Physical Environment of Special Care Units: Needs of Residents with Dementia from the Perspective of Staff and Family Caregivers

To manage the care of increasing numbers of residents with dementia, many long-term care facilities have created special care units (SCUs) designed to meet the unique needs of this group. This article describes results of the qualitative component of a larger research project examining environment-behavior relationships in dementia care settings. Eighteen in-depth interviews were conducted with 9 staff and 9 family members of SCU residents. Thematic analysis was conducted using grounded theory techniques. Participants described residents’ needs in relation to both the physical and social environments. This article focuses on the five areas of need identified by participants in relation to the physical environment: safety, homelike setting, optimal stimulation, cues, and options for privacy and social interaction.

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