Garden greenery and the health of older people in residential care facilities: a multi‐level cross‐sectional study

Abstract

OM M . ( 2 0 1 6 ) Garden greenery and the health of older people in residential care facilities: a multi-level cross-sectional study. Journal of Advanced Nursing 72(9), 2065-2076. doi: 10.1111/jan.12968 Abstract Aims. To test the relationship between greenery in gardens at residential facilities for older people and the self-perceived health of residents, mediated by experiences of being away and fascination when in the garden and the frequency of visitation there. To examine how these indirect effects vary with the number of physical barriers to visiting the garden. Background. Many older people in residential facilities suffer from complex health problems. Access to a green outdoor environment may enable psychological distance, engage effortless attention, encourage more frequent visitation and promote resident health. Design. A multi-level, cross-sectional, correlational design. Methods. Questionnaires were administered June-August, 2011 to convenience samples of residents at 72 facilities for older people with complex healthcare needs. One to 10 eligible residents were sampled during self-motivated garden visits at each facility (n = 290). They reported on their garden experiences and health. Facility staff reported on objective garden characteristics and barriers to access. A serial mediation model was tested with multiple linear regression analysis. Results. The total indirect effect of greenery on self-perceived health was positive and significant. Garden greenery appears to affect health by enhancing a sense of being away, affording possibilities to experience the outdoor environment as interesting and encouraging visitation. Among residents in homes with multiple barriers, only fascination mediated the relationship between greenery and selfperceived health. Conclusion. Ample greenery in outdoor space at residential facilities for older people appears to promote experiences of being away and fascination, more frequent visitation and better health.

Effects of Perceived Neighbourhood Environments on Self-Rated Health among Community-Dwelling Older Chinese

“…Similar findings were documented in an analysis of age-friendly environment in the US, where older persons perceived neighbourhood problems such as safety, crime and housing problems were associated with poorer SRH [31]. Green outdoor environment was found to have a positive impact on SRH by experiences of being away and fascination and increased outdoor visits [42,43]. Sufficient and decent outdoor space, and a safe neighborhood may influence health by having an impact on an active lifestyle.…”

The Restorative Environment: A Complementary Concept for Salutogenesis Studies

“…There are many examples: screens showing nature imagery in waiting rooms for people about to give blood (Ulrich, Simons, & Miles, 2003), large landscape scenes presented on curtains around beds where patients laid while undergoing an uncomfortable bronchoscopy procedure (Diette, Lechtzin, Haponik, Devrotes, & Rubin, 2003), window views of trees from a hospital room in which patients spent several days recovering from surgery (Ulrich, 1984), window views over the surrounding landscape from the rooms of patients going through rehabilitation programs several weeks in length (Raanaas, Patil, & Hartig, 2012), and outdoor garden spaces at assisted living facilities in which elderly people were receiving daily care during the remainder of their lives (Dahlkvist et al, 2016;Ottosson & Grahn, 2005).…”

The Handbook of Salutogenesis

“…There are many examples: screens showing nature imagery in waiting rooms for people about to give blood (Ulrich, Simons, & Miles, 2003), large landscape scenes presented on curtains around beds where patients laid while undergoing an uncomfortable bronchoscopy procedure (Diette, Lechtzin, Haponik, Devrotes, & Rubin, 2003), window views of trees from a hospital room in which patients spent several days recovering from surgery (Ulrich, 1984), window views over the surrounding landscape from the rooms of patients going through rehabilitation programs several weeks in length (Raanaas, Patil, & Hartig, 2012), and outdoor garden spaces at assisted living facilities in which elderly people were receiving daily care during the remainder of their lives (Dahlkvist et al, 2016;Ottosson & Grahn, 2005).…”