The Importance of Outdoor Spaces in Care Homes: Gardens, Walkways, and Therapeutic Landscapes

Care home facilities are a crucial element in the UK care system. They offer care services to over four hundred thousand elderly people across the UK. Providing them with a better facility for peace of mind and faster recovery from stress is possible when they enter the open space. For example, gardens with wide walkways and open spaces under the sky work wonders for the overall well-being of elderly people. This blog will discuss the importance of outdoor spaces in care homes. By the end of the blog, you will know how different outdoor elements, such as open spaces for social interaction, therapeutic gardens, and others, help older people live healthy lives in care homes.

Why Outdoor Spaces Matter in Care Homes

Older people in care homes tend to be under stress and have poor physical health. An outdoor space in the care home facility helps to improve their moods by reducing anxiety levels and stress. In an outdoor space like gardens and other places, old people can breathe freely and improve their overall health. An open space also provides opportunities to interact with other people with a free mind. We all know that social interaction helps us relieve ourselves from stress and trauma. Being connected with other people in society makes us feel important. Such facilities in any care home can work excellently for any person-centred care approach. Now, let's look at some key elements of an outdoor space in a care home.

Key Elements of Effective Outdoor Space Design in Care Homes

Outdoor open spaces are excellent elements of a care home that help older people maintain their physical and mental health; for example, open gardens or places for socialisation are significant for their well-being.

Therapeutic Gardens

The main purpose of such a garden is to support individuals with mental and physical illnesses. A garden becomes more beautiful with wildflowers and plants. Residents can experience peace of mind while walking around or in the garden. It brings them closer to the environment, helping them heal faster. More interestingly, a therapeutic garden can be more beneficial if it is a required place. Residents of care homes can heal themselves internally and come out of any mental trauma.

Safe and Accessible Walkways

Building a warehouse and designing pathways inside the care home requires special attention. You need to ensure that the walkways are not slippery and are wider for easy access. Older people mostly do not have excellent mobility, so spacious walkways are essential for ease of movement. It would be better if the internal pathways were shaded and equipped with grab rails. Installing grab rails will allow residents to walk freely on the paths and move freely in the facility. If they can roam freely while walking in a safe environment, they will feel more confident and stress-free.

Social and Restful Zones

Older people can heal better if they are socially active. A care home must have Open spaces for social interaction and activities, such as picnic tables or a pavilion in the garden where group activities can be arranged. Besides, open places to interact with families should also be arranged to see improvements among the elderly residents. It will reduce their mental anxiety and improve social connection.

Landscaping with Purpose: Therapeutic Design Principles

The key to designing a therapeutic garden is to keep it simple and appealing to elderly people. For example, the facility's colour and texture should be engaging and appealing to the senses. Moreover, when you construct the garden, make sure that it has natural features. Fountains, bird feeders to attract birds, and sculptures can improve the garden's aesthetics and look. You should try to keep the garden design simple and easy for people with dementia.

Maintenance and Safety Considerations

While the therapeutic garden design is essential for providing a better environment for older people, its maintenance is challenging. A team of workers should be employed to maintain the facility regularly. Besides, you can install CCTV and overnight guards to protect the facility. Divide the works that need regular attention and periodic attention. Depending on the nature of the job, you can easily maintain the garden area.

Conclusion

To summarise, a beautiful natural garden in the care home facility helps improve residents' moods. The older people in the care homes will experience a soul-soothing environment close to nature. An environment free from artificial constraints will open their minds and help them interact with others. Such a therapeutic garden is perfect for arranging a storytelling session or soulful music performance. After all it's all about how you feel inside that keeps you young even at sixty.