Outdoor Environments for People with Dementia

Learn how gardens and parks can be beneficial to residents

Mounting evidence reveals that nature and outdoor environments provide individuals with dementia greater enjoyment in life, lower stress levels, and positive changes to physical well-being. Outdoor Environments for People with Dementia explores how fulfilling the fundamental genetically based need of human relationships with nature can improve the health and well-being of people with dementia. Top experts analyze current research and comprehensively examine how the design processes of gardens and parks can be closely connected to effective interventions. Evaluation tools for those with dementia are discussed, including studies of the impact of plants and outdoor activities on this population.

Outdoor Environments for People with Dementia discusses in detail practical approaches that can significantly improve the quality of life for dementia victims. Research is discussed revealing important aspects and issues needing to be addressed when creating better outdoor environments that are effective in helping residents of long term care facilities and residential care homes. The text is extensively referenced and provides several tables, figures, and photographs to clearly illustrate concepts.

Topics discussed in Outdoor Environments for People with Dementia include:

• the impact of outdoor wandering parks and therapeutic gardens on people with dementia
• empirical studies on how access to and participation in nature-related activities can benefit people with dementia
• interventions to restore people with dementia having directed-attention fatigue
• evaluation tools for gardens for people with dementia
• research-based design recommendations for future gardens
• theories and empirical studies about healing gardens
• training staff to increase their knowledge about horticulture and encouraging them to involve residents in outdoor activities
• general guidelines for developing an outdoor space
• examination of the attributes for the superior outdoor space found in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with design recommendations for the future

Outdoor Environments for People with Dementia is a valuable resource for scholars, policymakers, legislators, architects and urban planners, lending institutions, developers, landscape architects, and the lay public in general who have an interest in the subject—personal, professional, or civic.