Is There a Caring Perspective in Garden/Patio Design in Elderly Care? A Description and a Comparison of Residents’ and Staff Members’ Perceptions of These Outdoor Spaces

Abstract

This article aims to describe the characteristics of and design elements in gardens/patios at 87 residential living homes for older people and to describe and compare residents’ and staff members’ perceptions of outdoor spaces. The aim was also to investigate factors related to residents' satisfaction with and stays in the garden/patio. The result showed that many gardens/patios had several recommended design elements and, at the same time, obvious deficiencies. The residents (n = 415) valued various aspects of the garden/patio more highly than did the staff (n = 667). Managers responsible for residential living homes for elderly people should take measures to ameliorate deficiencies and deficient elements in design and accessibility that are lacking so that the garden/patio can be used as an important health promotion resource in the care of elderly people. Residents and staff are important actors in such development work.

KEYWORDS:

• design elements
• garden/patio
• residential living homes for older people

Acknowledgments

The authors thank all managers, staff, and residents in residential living homes for older people who participated in the study for their cooperation.