The experiences of living with dementia within an under-served geographical area: a systematic review and qualitative synthesis
Source: PubMed Central Open Access, NCBI / U.S. National Library of Medicine
Abstract Background Dementia affects millions globally and presents diverse challenges shaped by personal, social and environmental factors. People living in under-served rural, coastal and deprived communities often face additional barriers to diagnosis, care and support, limiting person-centred approaches. These inequalities can negatively impact quality of life, social inclusion and health outcomes. Whilst dementia experiences have been widely studied, the influence of geographical context remains underexplored. Understanding this is essential to improving equitable, person-centred care across diverse settings. sec3 Methods MEDLINE, PsycInfo, Cochrane Library and Web of Science were searched from inception in February 2025 for qualitative studies on people’s experiences of living with dementia in rural, coastal or deprived areas. The review was not limited by country or date. Data were coded and thematically synthesised using NVivo. sec4 Findings Seventy-three full texts were screened using Rayyan and 15 studies were included in the review. Thirteen studies were based in rural areas and two in deprived areas. No included studies were set in coastal areas. Four analytical themes were developed: navigating stigma, privacy and disclosurenavigating fragmented healthcare systems and services, lack of appropriate and accessible services and positive experiences of managing dementia. sec5 Discussion Key barriers to managing dementia included limited service availability, unsuitab
Abstract
Abstract Background Dementia affects millions globally and presents diverse challenges shaped by personal, social and environmental factors. People living in under-served rural, coastal and deprived communities often face additional barriers to diagnosis, care and support, limiting person-centred approaches. These inequalities can negatively impact quality of life, social inclusion and health outcomes. Whilst dementia experiences have been widely studied, the influence of geographical context remains underexplored. Understanding this is essential to improving equitable, person-centred care across diverse settings. sec3 Methods MEDLINE, PsycInfo, Cochrane Library and Web of Science were searched from inception in February 2025 for qualitative studies on people’s experiences of living with dementia in rural, coastal or deprived areas. The review was not limited by country or date. Data were coded and thematically synthesised using NVivo. sec4 Findings Seventy-three full texts were screened using Rayyan and 15 studies were included in the review. Thirteen studies were based in rural areas and two in deprived areas. No included studies were set in coastal areas. Four analytical themes were developed: navigating stigma, privacy and disclosurenavigating fragmented healthcare systems and services, lack of appropriate and accessible services and positive experiences of managing dementia. sec5 Discussion Key barriers to managing dementia included limited service availability, unsuitable support, stigma and logistical challenges. Findings underscored the need for person-centred, context-sensitive care that considers geographic, social and cultural factors. Future research should further explore diverse under-served settings to inform equitable dementia care particularly in deprived and coastal areas. sec6