This study is to realize the importance of the therapeutic environment of nursing facilities for elderly people; to comparatively analyze the therapeutic environment elements of the facilities in Gwangju, Jeonnam area, Seoul, and Japan by classifying the therapeutic environment elements according to two aspects on the basis of preceding studies; and to find out the differences among the three regional groups. First, all therapeutic elements were put together on the basis of two preceding studies based on the two aspects. Second, an expert group was organized primarily with architects and care-givers to find out the therapeutic environment elements of nursing facilities for elderly people with dementia, and to draw up an evaluation standard. Third, the regional differences were analyzed, by comparing the distribution of therapeutic elements of the facilities in Gwangju-Jeonnam area, Seoul, and Japan, through the found therapeutic environment elements.
Consequently, eighteen therapeutic environment elements were found out of total 32 elements, and the elements were classified into nine factors based on the meaning of each element. The therapeutic environment elements were showed highest in Japan, and lowest in Gwangju-Chonnam area according to the comparative case analysis based on the nine factors. Especially, there were great regional differences in terms of awareness, safety, orientation, privacy, and freedom of choice.