GUIDELINES FOR A LITERATURE REVIEW ON THE ENVIRONMENT FOR INSTITUTIONALIZED ELDERLY PEOPLE

Abstract

The challenge of providing institutionalized elderly people with dementia with the physical and environmental possibility of living in a community, stimulating their cognitive function through the built environment and promoting active and healthy aging was the motivation of this research. The objective of this article is to present a bibliographic review permeated by the discussion of architecture and its effects on housing for institutionalized elderly people affected by Alzheimer's neurodegenerative disease. The systematic search methodology and the Rayan program helped the process of identification, selection, data collection, analysis and description of the main contributions of authors. As a result, 126 studies were identified that correlated concepts for aging in place, identifying structured neighborhoods that encourage walks and social activities, favoring physical health and cognitive functioning, with collective housing that add a sense of community, increase comfort and dignity, providing choices and offering opportunities to engage with society The neuroscience approach to architecture or neuroarchitecture is prominent in studies presenting the psychological issues of human experiences in response to the built environment. The connection between the properties of space and human emotions, provide new paths for a welcoming and restorative environment, at any age, under any health circumstances.