09/18/2019

Walt Zapor, LEED AP BD+C, CSI, CDT, a senior associate and leader of KCBA’s senior living studio, is presenting an educational session at the Pennsylvania Health Care Association’s (PHCA) 2019 Annual Convention and Trade Show. An organization that advocates for quality long-term care for the elderly and disabled, the conference features a wide-ranging educational program with a focus on assisted living, personal care, and skilled nursing programs.

The session is titled, “Opportunities: Dementia Support in a Person-Centered Environment.” A growing body of research and published studies provide evidence that the makeup of the physical environment can have a direct positive or negative impact on individuals living with dementia. The session shares recent findings regarding operational and environmental best practices in dementia settings and then reviews a number of specific examples of how these were physically integrated in new construction and building renovation projects. Specific areas of emphasis include issues of territoriality and privacy, awareness and orientation, balancing enrichment with safety, and the benefits of fostering connections with nature.