Older Adults' Responses to a Meaningful Activity Using Indoor-Based Nature Experiences: Bird Tales

Bird Tales is a meaningful activity that creates indoor-based nature experiences for older adults in residential care. This study examined the impact of Bird Tales by understanding what attributes of birds take on meaning to older adults and piloting the program to assess the psychosocial impact on older adults in an assisted living facility.

We conducted a mixed-methods study. First, we conducted focus groups with older adults. Then we used a cross-over study design with random assignment to examine the impact of the program. Potential benefits of the program were examined using individual interviews and repeated measures on psychosocial questionnaires with a paired samples t-test to compare means from pretest and posttest within the intervention group.

Findings from the focus group indicate multisensory, spiritual, and therapeutic aspects of birds that hold meaning for older adults. The participants in Bird Tales shared positive experiences with the program by discussing cognitively stimulating activity, interactions with others, connections to the past, and positive perceptions of birds and nature.

Findings from our study suggest the potential of Bird Tales as a meaningful activity for older adults in residential care settings. We discuss implications for research as well as practice and present our recommendations.

Activities in long-term care should be meaningful to meet the psychological and social needs of older adults. Older adults enjoy and may benefit from indoor-based nature activities.