Creating a dementia-friendly environment through the use of outdoor natural landscape design intervention in long-term care facilities: A narrative review. (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Motealleh, Parinaz; Moyle, Wendy; Jones, Cindy; Dupre, Karine
• Is Part Of: Health & place. Volume 58(2019:Jul.)
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: Outdoor natural landscapes -- Long-term care facilities -- Dementia-friendly environment -- Narrative literature review; Health -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Health services accessibility -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Political planning -- Periodicals; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health Policy -- Periodicals; Health Services Accessibility -- Periodicals; Public Health -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Sociology, Medical -- Periodicals; Épidémiologie -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Santé, Services de -- Accessibilité -- Périodiques; Health services accessibility; Health -- Social aspects; Political planning; Public health; Social medicine; Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.102148
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8292

Abstract

Abstract: There is an increasing volume of literature on the positive effects of outdoor natural landscapes on health and well-being. However, to date, there is a paucity of research on the effect of outdoor natural landscapes designed for people with dementia living in long-term care (LTC) facilities, in particular, those which have incorporated the characteristics of a dementia-friendly environment (DFE). This narrative literature review synthesizes current knowledge on the effect of outdoor natural landscape design, which is aligned with the characteristics of a DFE, to improve agitation, apathy and engagement of people with dementia living in LTC facilities. The reviewed studies predominantly support the positive effects of outdoor natural landscapes on agitation, apathy and engagement of people with dementia. However, there are concerns about the methodological approaches, principles incorporated in the applied outdoor natural landscapes' designs, and the environmental assessment. Further rigorous research is required to understand the impact of the outdoor natural landscapes, with the application of DFE characteristics in the design, on agitation, apathy and engagement of people with dementia living in LTC facilities. Highlights: A narrative review of the effects of an outdoor natural landscape in long-term care on symptoms of dementia. There was limited use of dementia-friendly environments' characteristics in the design of outdoor natural landscapes. Inconclusive evidence was found for the benefits of outdoor natural landscape on dementia symptoms. Further rigorous research is required to examine the impact of outdoor natural landscape on dementia in long-term care.