Developing a dementia-friendly Christchurch: Perspectives of people with dementia.

AIM

Christchurch, New Zealand has a unique opportunity to potentially rebuild as a dementia-friendly city in the wake of the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes. The present study gathered insights from people with dementia about what would make it possible for them to live better in Christchurch.

METHODS

Twenty-six older people living with dementia were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Interviews were transcribed for thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Participants talked about the importance of being connected and engaged; of accommodation from service providers and others in the community and raising awareness of dementia, and attributes of the physical environment requiring consideration in the rebuild.

CONCLUSION

The themes that emerged about what people with dementia seek from dementia-friendly communities reinforce previous research, but with an overlay of the difficulties of living in an earthquake-damaged city.