Neighbourhoods and dementia: An updated realist review of the qualitative literature to inform contemporary practice and policy understanding

Abstract

This realist review of the literature provided a contemporary understanding of neighbourhoods and dementia and described how people living with dementia and their neighbourhood interacted via ongoing place-making and remaking processes. Drawing on 44 articles, neighbourhoods were revealed to have fluid and dynamic qualities where people with dementia used their strength and resources to connect to significant people and places. The review also indicated that the person with dementia–neighbourhood relationship was underpinned by four themes: ‘home’, ‘social interactions’, ‘activities’ and ‘transportation’. Further research is encouraged to use innovative, participatory methods to explore the neighbourhood–dementia nexus in depth whilst paying close attention to social inclusion and diversity.