Dementia, Design and Built Environments

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Dementia, design and built environments

Equip yourself with the knowledge of designing dementia-enabling and inclusive environments. 

About this short course 

This course aims to provide a theoretical understanding of the importance of environmental design in dementia care through a global lens. It seeks to equip you with the knowledge and skills to critically examine the evidence, tools and strategies to implement and sustain dementia-enabling environments. 

In this course, you will learn to 

  • Identify evidence that underpins the principles, policies and practical application of dementia, enabling design. 
  • Identify evidence-based tools and resources for the implementation and evaluation of dementia-enabling environments. 
  • Understand and examine the impacts of the built environment on people living with dementia and their communities 
  • Examine strategies for implementing and sustaining dementia-enabling environments design

Who should do this course? 

This course is designed for individuals with knowledge of dementia who are interested in enabling and inclusive environments for people living with dementia. The course is also intended for individuals who are involved in the care and design of people living with dementia, such as; 

  • Health professionals
  • Community and residential facility support staff
  • People in the early stages of the disease, their families and caregivers
  • Architects, interior designers and builders 
  • Policymakers.

Please note that the module is part of a unit within the Master of Dementia Program

Course Structure

This self-directed course provides 10 hours of quality learning. You can work through the content at any time of day and at your own pace. This includes revisiting earlier released content as needed. Once you have completed the course, you will be eligible to download a personalised certificate of completion. You will have 6 months to complete the course. 

Meet your Instructor


Dr Joanna Sun is an environmental design specialist working to promote inclusive and enabling environments. Her research focuses on dementia and design and knowledge translation. Dr Sun has developed and co-authored an environmental assessment tool with Prof Richard Fleming, the Singapore Environmental Assessment Tool (SEAT). They have also published a user guide on the SEAT for facilities providing high levels of care for people living with dementia in Singapore. Joanna continues to work on international design projects and research in this space as a knowledge broker translating knowledge into action and working to increase literacy in dementia and design. 

Qualifications

PhD, University of Wollongong, Australia, 2020. 

Examiners' Commendation for Outstanding Thesis

Thesis: Defining and assessing the characteristics of the built environment that contributes to the well-being of people with dementia in Singapore.

Memberships

Dementia Alliance International, The Environmental Design Special Interest Group (DAI, ED-SIG)

Australian Association of Gerontology, State Board, Tasmania 

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation

International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART)


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