It’s a wonderful thing when someone’s health and mobility enable them to remain in their own home during the later years of life. That’s not the case for many elderly folks, though. Nursing homes are reserved for those with serious medical conditions, of course. And, assisted living communities are popular among seniors for a wide variety of reasons. Some of which are medication management, transportation availability, and no more household chores to keep up with—cooking meals included!
No matter where they live, though, spending time outdoors is an important facet of a healthy lifestyle. We know that sunshine provides a natural source of vitamin D. It strengthens bones. Subsequently, studies show that seniors who regularly spend time outdoors are less prone to suffer significant injury when falling. Moreover, getting a breath of fresh air and spending time in a calming outdoor environment—day or night—surrounded by the sounds of birds singing or crickets chirping has a positive impact on mental health as well.
Those who provide long-term care for the elderly are aware of the benefits being outdoors can provide, of course, and strive to create outdoor spaces that their residents will enjoy. The problem is that they often aren’t utilized on a regular basis—if at all.
According to a guide for elder care communities written by Margaret P. Calkins, Ph.D., of the IDEAS Institute, there is a myriad of reasons why that is so.
They relate to:
- Design
- Maintenance
- Operational issues
- Overall culture of organization
A possible solution
Regardless of the reasons outdoor spaces aren’t being used, designers need to figure out what will entice the elderly living in these communities to spend time there. Wouldn’t it be awesome if the residents, themselves, could be part of the planning process? Their input would benefit the design team because they could incorporate the actual wants of those who reside within the community. If revamping the outdoor living space is in the budget plan for the near future, it could greatly benefit elder care communities overall that want to run with the idea of getting the residents involved.
Call a meeting to present the idea to everyone and allow time for discussion. You could specify a time frame during which residents are encouraged to submit their ideas. Some may even want to submit drawings of their ideal space. After completing the final design, share it with the residents before construction even begins to create a buzz. Having a celebration in the new outdoor space upon completion will hopefully encourage residents to spend many happy hours there for years to come.
Screening the possibilities
Elder care communities might want to consider another option for creating beautiful outdoor spaces. Enclosing areas with customized privacy screens completely changes the ambiance. In fact, several different environments could easily be constructed at a fraction of the cost spent on elaborate gardens. If you’d like to garner interest, ask residents to submit their favorite vacation destinations or places they would love to see. The beach? Tropical gardens? Breathtaking mountain views? Anything is possible with customized privacy screens.
The images are reproduced directly onto mesh screens using the latest dyes which are treated with extra ultraviolet (UV) protection. The sun won’t be fading them for years to come.
Benefits abound
Elderly residents will enjoy the beautiful surroundings and soon discover that they inspire feelings of relaxation and serenity. Adding water features to the areas greatly adds to the calming element of the environment. There’s just something about the sound of gently running water that draws many toward the sound.
In addition to being a relaxing space, residents will gain other benefits that you won’t find in the average outdoor living space. For instance, privacy screens completely block bugs, mosquitoes, and even those extremely irritating noseeums that seem to always show up whenever we venture outdoors. They offer a measure of protection from the elements as well. Sitting outdoors while a gentle rain falls has a soothing effect for many people. Additionally, it’s certainly no secret that any degree of shade is welcome here in Florida! Privacy screen enclosures provide a measure of both.
Residents will never have to worry about beating the maintenance crew to the space after a storm blows through either. Dirt and storm debris can’t access the area—and that goes for lizards, snakes, or any other wildlife that happens to wander through as well.
Lastly, we’ll mention the safety issue. Some seniors are living in assisted communities and nursing homes due to Alzheimer’s or some other cause that can leave them confused or easily agitated. Mesh screen enclosures provide an element of safety because if necessary, the door… if there is an outside access installed at all… can be locked.
Cater to well being
The benefits of connecting with nature throughout our lives can’t be denied. Stress melts away in as little as 5 minutes which affects not only emotions but blood pressure and a number of other physiologic measures. Studies show that increased exposure to daylight allows for a more peaceful slumber. Seniors are less likely to have their days and nights turned around with as little as 30 minutes of late morning exposure to the sun.
Time spent outdoors positively affects residents diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia. The surroundings can trigger pleasant memories and encourage interaction with others.
If you’re the child of an elderly parent looking for a solution to accommodate the next phase of life, there are many online resources available to help you find the best option in your area. Take time to consider everything. You know that they did the same as you grew into adulthood.
Oh, yes, they did.