How nature can be used create a therapeutic outdoor environment

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Gerontology
• Therapeutic Recreation

Background:

• Care home environments often lack natural elements, impacting resident well-being.
• The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) developed the "Homes for Wildlife" initiative.
• There is a growing recognition of the therapeutic benefits of nature in healthcare settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report on the implementation of the RSPB's "Homes for Wildlife" scheme in UK care homes.
• To explore the therapeutic benefits of increased wildlife presence for care home residents and staff.
• To document the process of establishing the wildlife scheme within care home grounds.

Main Methods:

• A pilot scheme was introduced into a group of care homes.
• The project involved creating wildlife habitats on care home premises.
• Qualitative data likely gathered on resident/staff experiences and project development.

Main Results:

• The "Homes for Wildlife" project successfully encouraged wildlife into care home grounds.
• Therapeutic benefits were observed for both residents and staff.
• The scheme is now being expanded to 300 care homes across the UK.

Conclusions:

• Integrating wildlife initiatives into care homes can enhance the environment and well-being.
• The "Homes for Wildlife" project demonstrates a successful model for nature-based interventions in elderly care.
• The RSPB scheme offers a scalable solution for improving quality of life in institutional settings.