built environment and alzheimer. quality evaluation of territorial structures for patients with dementia

Abstract

Sustainable, inclusive and resilient cities and urban settlements are fundamental in enabling people to live long and healthy lives. Elderly population is growing all over the world and in Italy is among the largest. Within this scenario, epidemiological data show that Alzheimer disease, a dementia which manifest with ageing, is also forecast to rapidly increase, up to 150 million cases in 2050. Within urban settlements, the health and socio-sanitary structures for elderly patients represent a fundamental social infrastructure that collects important investments but must be suitable to host people with dementia. The paper describes the methodology adopted for the definition of an assessment tool able to evaluate the indoor and outdoor qualities and characteristics of socio-sanitary facilities for Alzheimer and elderly people. In the first phase the analysis of scientific literature, international case studies and sustainability assessment framework led to identification of 4 criteria, 19 indicators and 71 variables validated by experts in geriatry, psychiatry and architecture. In the second phase the tool has been operationalized and tested on a sample of three territorial structures in Lombardy Region, Italy. The outcomes of the evaluation can lead to the definition of sustainable project strategies.