Creating Gardens that Foster Outdoor Activities for Skilled Nursing Residents
INSIGHT BY
Shirah Kasongo Cahill, RLA | Landscape Architecture Manager
Spending time outdoors is essential for healthy aging as it has been shown to slow cognitive and physical decline. For people living with dementia, who are particularly at risk for depression and social isolation, spending time outdoors can reduce aggressive behavior and stress, improve mood, sleep hygiene, and reduce the use of some forms of medication.
Conversely, the absence of outdoor time leads to consequences including disability, fear, and depression, especially for seniors living with dementia. As people living with dementia can develop a fear of going outside, it is even more critical to incorporate a safe and convenient outdoor space for memory care treatment. This is especially true for nursing homes, which statistically have a low rate of outdoor exposure for residents.
There are three key characteristics to designing outdoor space for skilled nursing residents.
Environmental Comfort
Mitigating adverse environmental conditions is an essential component of any memory care garden. Elements like glare and environmental conditions need careful management. Pavement color and shade placement will address glare issues, while covered walkways facilitate smooth transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces. Seating options and grab bars ensure navigational ease.
A covered walkway at the main entry to the garden can provide shaded access and a smooth transition into sunlight from the interior. Areas of shade and sun provide choice for residents with unique heat preferences. Solid table surfaces conduct sound waves across tabletops during social interactions.
Safety
Enabling features, such as varying seating types at frequent intervals, grab bars along walking paths, and flush transitions in locations like door thresholds, allow elders to feel a sense of comfort and safety in the garden area.
Visual and physical access that provide caregivers clear views of the garden enhances autonomy and patient use. Elders’ time spent outdoors increases when program spaces are visually accessible from well used interior spaces. This transparency can improve safety while enhancing independence.
Choice
Choices in an outdoor environment support residents with different social tolerance levels. Social spaces for interaction, semi-social areas for observation, and private zones for those who prefer solitude or may feel agitated are critical elements in the design of outdoor spaces for skilled nursing facilities.
Strategically designed view sheds and continuous circulation paths will draw residents into and through the garden, encouraging exploration. Planting choices, fragrant species, and botanical labels engage multiple senses and help trigger memories. Integrating multisensory features like a glider swing and integral sound system will promote movement and auditory experiences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, creating well-designed gardens for skilled nursing residents prioritizes comfort, accessibility, and sensory engagement, particularly for residents living with dementia. By providing diverse experiences, managing environmental conditions, and incorporating enabling features, garden spaces enhance residents’ well-being and autonomy, and promote social engagement.
