What is it about?
Many people derive well-being benefits from contact with nature. As we age, and experience reduced mobility and health issues that interfere with our ability to go out and visit natural spaces, it can become difficult to maintain that nature connection. This study interviews people aged between 65 - 92 years, living in their own homes (both family homes and down-sized homes), and rest homes, and identifies the factors that affect peoples' ability to connect with nature, and where that connection takes place.
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Why is it important?
Being able to experience nature is important to many people, and positively affects well-being. Our research shows that in older adults, particularly frail adults, nearby spaces in the form of private gardens become very important in supporting connection to nature.
Perspectives
The interviews of older adults were very interesting and touching, many revealing acceptance of massive reduction in capacity to do the things that used to be important, but others revealed frustration and anger at the limitations imposed by age, health and frailty. Old age is something that faces all of us if we are lucky, and insights like this can be sobering. The study has led me to search for funding opportunities for research into virtual ways to bring nature to older adults with reduced mobility.
Yolanda van Heezik
University of Otago
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Factors Affecting the Extent and Quality of Nature Engagement of Older Adults Living in a Range of Home Types, Environment and Behavior, December 2018, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/0013916518821148.
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