Housing and Connection to Nature for People with Dementia: Findings from the INDEPENDENT Project

This paper reports on the qualitative findings of the first phase of the INDEPENDENT Project, an EPSRC funded EQUAL 4 consortium project in the UK that aims to investigate enabling environments for people with dementia. The overall project focus is on wellbeing and quality of life for people in diff...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of housing for the elderly 2007-12, Vol.21 (1-2), p.55-72
Main Authors: Gibson, Grant, Chalfont, Garuth Eliot, Clarke, Pamela D., Torrington, Judith M., Sixsmith, Andrew J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Dementia
Elderly people
Environmental appraisal
gardens
home
Home Environment
Housing
Natural Environment
Natural phenomena
nature
Quality of Life
residential care
Residential Institutions
United Kingdom
Well Being
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Summary:This paper reports on the qualitative findings of the first phase of the INDEPENDENT Project, an EPSRC funded EQUAL 4 consortium project in the UK that aims to investigate enabling environments for people with dementia. The overall project focus is on wellbeing and quality of life for people in different types of housing, with particular focus on the possible roles technology can play in maintaining the person's independence as long as possible. Connection to nature, access to the outdoors, and participation in nature-based activities were among a wide range of enjoyable activities reported by study participants living in their own homes or in residential care. First, an overview of connection to nature for people with dementia and the importance of this connection within their home environments are given. Secondly, the research study is described and data from interviews with people with dementia and from focus groups with family and professional carers including access to, and preferences for nature are summarized. Multiple factors enabling or challenging a person's participation in nature-related activities included personal factors, formal support, social networks, as well as cultural and spiritual aspects. These factors are briefly described and compared. Lastly, factors of the built environment and differences between building types are presented and conclusions drawn.
ISSN:0276-3893
1540-353X
DOI:10.1300/J081v21n01_04