Increasing well-being may be a promising nonpharmacological approach to preventing dementia, and among people already living with dementia, well-being may be improved through environmental changes and activities that enhance autonomy, competence and relatedness, according to the authors of the 2024 World Happiness Report.
The report, which in part examined the findings of several research studies, is a partnership between Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre in the United Kingdom, the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network and the WHR Editorial Board. One chapter of the 158-page publication was devoted to the associations between well-being and dementia.
“In early and midlife, higher well-being may serve as a protective factor that prevents or delays dementia onset, which in turn further supports late-life well-being,” the authors wrote. “In older adulthood, interventions and policies that facilitate continued engagement in social, physical, and intellectual activities are critical for the maintenance of both well-being and cognitive health.”
Among long-term care residents living with dementia, the report noted, research has found that multisensory environments such as Snoezelen rooms aid in wellness by reducing agitation and improving mood symptoms such as depression and anxiety. Other ways to enhance the well-being of residents living with dementia, according to the authors, include “animal-facilitated activities, cultural arts interventions, exercise programs, massage, life review/reminiscence, and outdoor activities such as gardening.”
As the number of people living with dementia grows, the authors said, there is “a pressing need for researchers and policymakers to place well-being at the forefront of approaches to care.”
Additionally, they said, research is needed to determine whether well-being interventions that were developed for older adults in general could be applied to people who are living with dementia. “For example, positive psychological interventions using practices such as gratitude and savoring have been shown to increase well-being among older adults,” the report noted.
