Overview
ISO 25552:2022 - Ageing societies: Framework for dementia‑inclusive communities provides a practical, non‑clinical framework to help communities become more inclusive of people with dementia. The standard outlines principles, process elements, and guidance for systematically leveraging and improving existing assets (built environment, services, networks) so communities can transform into dementia‑inclusive communities that support quality of life, safety, participation, and autonomy.
Key points:
- Focuses on community-level planning and stakeholder engagement rather than clinical practice.
- First edition published 2022 by ISO/TC 314 (Ageing societies).
- Emphasizes integration of social, built, health and voluntary sectors to support people with dementia and their carers.
Key topics
The standard breaks down the framework into actionable topics and guidance, including:
- Systematic development process: establishing processes and basic elements to plan and implement inclusion programs.
- Guiding principles: outcomes (choice, accessibility, protection) and enabling factors (competence, awareness, sustainability, cultural considerations).
- Integrated community networks: creating coordinated health, social care, emergency, business, transport and leisure responses to dementia needs.
- Action areas / community sectors: housing, public space, transport, businesses, infrastructure, leisure, health and social care, education, faith and voluntary groups.
- Support for carers: informal care system assessment, education, training, and self‑care guidance.
- Implementation tools: annexes with considerations, stages of dementia implications, other frameworks, and an implementation/progress evaluation checklist.
Applications and who uses it
ISO 25552:2022 is designed for practical use by a wide range of stakeholders seeking to make communities dementia‑friendly:
- Local authorities and city planners developing policy, zoning, housing and transport strategies.
- Health and social care networks coordinating integrated, phased care pathways.
- Community organizations, NGOs and faith groups planning programs to reduce stigma and increase participation.
- Businesses and service providers adapting customer service, retail and workplace design.
- Architects and built environment professionals improving accessibility and orientation in public spaces.
- Carers, families and advocacy groups using the framework to evaluate local services and support needs.
Practical uses include community action plans, cross‑sector partnerships, public‑awareness campaigns, inclusive design audits, and monitoring progress with the standard’s evaluation checklist.
Related standards
- Complements person‑centred and accessibility guidance (see ISO/IEC Guide 71 referenced in the document).
- Works alongside local health and social care regulations; ISO 25552:2022 does not set clinical standards.
This standard is a strategic tool for communities aiming to reduce stigma, improve quality of life, and create sustainable, dementia‑inclusive environments.
