LAUSR

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The important role that the environment plays in the lives of older people is widely acknowledged. To date little is known about person-environment processes during early stages of dementia. This scoping review aims to provide an overview of the processes involved during early dementia and the relationship to different dimensions of their life space. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A scoping review was conducted according to the Johanna Briggs Institute Manual, which involved searching for research on early dementia and the environment across three databases. RESULTS 1358 records were screened, of which 284 sources were included in a first categorization of the diverse relationships that exist between the environment and the person living with early dementia. Finally, 102 sources were selected that describe person-environment exchange processes of agency, belonging, or stress. People living with dementia actively shape, use, seek out, and avoid their environment as a reaction to both declining abilities and environmental barriers. Specifically, feelings of connectedness and familiarity are important. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS Taking both an environmental gerontology perspective and a processual, i.e., transition perspective broadens the understanding of the experience and behavior of people living with early dementia. They constantly interact with and shape their environment and desire a sense of belonging. This sense of belonging might be threatened by dementia but can be actively reinforced by people living with dementia. These person-environment processes and their dynamics over time should be further investigated. Especially, quantitative data and data on the socioeconomic environments are lacking.