ABSTRACT
Dementia-friendly communities are not only about good design but also relate to people with dementia feeling part of the wider community. At a policy level, 'national plans' have driven the move towards dementia-friendly communities specifically from a social inclusion perspective. Physical environments are a key part of dementia-friendly communities, as is access to local facilities, support networks, social networks, and local groups. Environments of good design that are calming, safe and understandable can have a positive impact on the quality of life of a person with dementia by reducing agitation and confusion. Living well with dementia relates not only to promotion but also to prevention, which includes a societal focus on the development, initiation, and monitoring of prevention strategies. In the meantime, the commissioning process has to deal with the status quo that the prevalence of people with dementia will continue to increase and services need to be resourced and prepared accordingly.
