Nature as a Wellbeing Predictor: Perceptions and Guidelines to Enhance Ecosocial Intervention with Older People

Abstract

Western societies are experiencing a reconfiguration of their demographics expressed in an increasingly aging population. A crucial element for one’s well-being results from the interaction with multiple life events, suggesting that engagement with nature can stimulate well-being in older adults and that knowledge about interventions that enhance this relationship must be deepen. The study sought to understand the relationship between well-being and nature based on the perspective of older adults and to map strategies highlighted by experts and professionals in the field of aging, which facilitate the apprehension of nature’s dimension for supporting ecosocial practices of social workers. For so, a qualitative exploratory study was developed based on 10 interviews with older people conducted in a “go along” format method and an online focus group with 8 participants (experts and professionals).