Short answer

Prioritize the integration of accessible and engaging natural outdoor spaces within long-term care facility designs to foster holistic resident well-being.

Field: Human Factors
Source: Summit (Simon Fraser University) (2015)
Method: Literature Review
Evidence: Strong effect

Integrating well-designed outdoor natural environments into long-term care facilities can lead to substantial improvements in residents' physical and psychological health. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2015 study published in Summit (Simon Fraser University). Using Literature review, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Prioritize the integration of accessible and engaging natural outdoor spaces within long-term care facility designs to foster holistic resident well-being.

Study

Human FactorsHigh ImpactStrong effect

Outdoor nature exposure significantly improves resident well-being in long-term care facilities.

Integrating well-designed outdoor natural environments into long-term care facilities can lead to substantial improvements in residents' physical and psychological health.

Summit (Simon Fraser University) · 2015

Key Findings

01Exposure to outdoor nature environments offers a wide range of health and well-being benefits for residents.
02Benefits include improvements in agitation, stress, depression, pain, psychosocial well-being, sleep, attention, social interaction, independence, and sensory stimulation.
03Barriers to garden use and design guidelines for effective outdoor spaces were identified.

Application

Design takeaway

Prioritize the integration of accessible and engaging natural outdoor spaces within long-term care facility designs to foster holistic resident well-being.

How to apply

When designing or renovating long-term care facilities, ensure dedicated, accessible, and thoughtfully designed outdoor natural spaces are included, considering sensory elements and opportunities for varied engagement.

Project actions

01When reviewing literature, look for studies that quantify the benefits of nature exposure.
02Consider how different types of natural elements (e.g., gardens, water features, trees) might have varying impacts.

Method & Evidence

AimWhat are the evidence-based health and well-being benefits of outdoor nature exposure for residents in long-term care facilities, and what are the key barriers and design guidelines for implementing such spaces?

MethodLiterature Review

ProcedureA comprehensive review of empirical and descriptive literature was conducted to identify the benefits of outdoor nature settings for residents in long-term care facilities, as well as the challenges and design recommendations for these spaces.

ContextLong-term care facilities

Variables

IV["Exposure to outdoor nature environments"]

DV["Resident well-being (agitation, stress, depression, pain, psychosocial well-being, sleep, attention, social interaction, independence, sense of purpose, wandering behaviour, reminiscence, sensory stimulation)"]

CV["Type of long-term care facility","Resident demographics","Staffing levels","Existing facility design"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Comprehensive review of existing evidence.
+Focus on a vulnerable and important user group.

Limitations

The effectiveness of outdoor spaces can be influenced by factors like weather, accessibility for individuals with mobility issues, and the specific design and maintenance of the space.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of the findings depends on the quality and consistency of the studies included in the literature review. Validity is enhanced by the breadth of evidence reviewed, but may be limited by the heterogeneity of study designs and contexts.

Think critically

To what extent can the benefits observed in controlled studies be replicated in real-world, diverse long-term care settings with varying resources and staff support?

Design Principles

"The built environment can be a powerful therapeutic agent; incorporating natural elements is crucial for promoting health and well-being."

As design shifts towards more holistic and person-centered care models, the physical environment becomes a critical therapeutic tool. Understanding the profound impact of nature exposure allows designers to create spaces that actively promote healing, reduce stress, and enhance the overall quality of life for vulnerable populations.

What This Means for Your Design

Making outdoor nature areas in nursing homes can make residents feel much better, both mentally and physically.

How to use in your project

1.Use this research to justify the inclusion of specific environmental features in your design proposal that aim to improve user health and well-being.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research indicates that integrating well-designed outdoor natural environments into long-term care facilities yields significant benefits for resident health and well-being, including reductions in agitation, stress, and depression, alongside improvements in psychosocial well-being and social interaction. This underscores the importance of person-centered design principles that leverage the therapeutic qualities of nature.

Source

Summit (Simon Fraser University)

The impact of outdoor environments on health and well-being of residents in long-term care facilities: A review of the literature

journal · 2015

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about outdoor nature exposure significantly improves resident well-being in long-term care facilities?: Prioritize the integration of accessible and engaging natural outdoor spaces within long-term care facility designs to foster holistic resident well-being. Evidence: Summit (Simon Fraser University) (2015).
Why does "Outdoor nature exposure significantly improves resident well-being in long-term care facilities." matter for design?: As design shifts towards more holistic and person-centered care models, the physical environment becomes a critical therapeutic tool. Understanding the profound impact of nature exposure allows designers to create spaces that actively promote healing, reduce stress, and enhance the overall quality of life for vulnerable populations.
How can designers apply this research?: Prioritize the integration of accessible and engaging natural outdoor spaces within long-term care facility designs to foster holistic resident well-being.
What were the main findings?: Exposure to outdoor nature environments offers a wide range of health and well-being benefits for residents.. Benefits include improvements in agitation, stress, depression, pain, psychosocial well-being, sleep, attention, social interaction, independence, and sensory stimulation.. Barriers to garden use and design guidelines for effective outdoor spaces were identified.
What research method was used?: Literature Review.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2015 journal from Summit (Simon Fraser University).
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing or renovating long-term care facilities, ensure dedicated, accessible, and thoughtfully designed outdoor natural spaces are included, considering sensory elements and opportunities for varied engagement.
What are the limitations?: The review's findings are based on existing literature, and specific implementation challenges may vary across different facilities and contexts.