Dementia negatively affects the interaction with the social environment by changes in cognition and behavior. On the other hand, the social network may be an important enabler for persons with dementia to make use of their remaining capacities. Mechanisms driving and explaining these interactions are unknown. We aimed to explore how the social environment impacts the functioning and well-being of a person with dementia.

We performed a qualitative case study, conducting semi-structured interviews. We used the grounded theory approach, as defined by Strauss and Corbin, including alternate data collection and analysis. Per case, the person with dementia, the primary caregiver, significant kin or non-kin network member and the primary healthcare professional were interviewed individually. The interviews were conducted using a topic guide, which was adjusted according to preliminary analyses. Transcripts were coded by two researchers independently, where after axial codes, categories were formulated and a theory including a core phenomenon was identified with the entire research team.

Analyses revealed ‘creating a safe environment’ as a core phenomenon. This relates to encouragement and the created anchor points of the environment to compensate for the inevitable feelings of loss of control that persons with dementia experience. The ways safety is created include active acts of involvement and participation, trust, humor, reciprocity, appreciation and shared experiences. Suspicion, loss of initiative by the person with dementia and the inability to act and correcting by the environment were identified as major challenges to creating a safe environment.

A safe and supporting environment enables persons with dementia to use their remaining capacities. Active participation, trust, humor and reciprocity are key elements to create such a safe environment. These findings show that basic needs of persons with dementia for daily functioning and well-being are similar to these of all humans.