Skip to main content

Spring is in the Air... Time to Head Outdoors

By Anonymous
Although it may feel like warmer weather will never come, it is right around the corner. With warmer weather, comes the opportunity to get outside, enjoy the fresh air and get exercise. It is important for both the mind and body to be outside and away from the comforts of your own home, as long winters can make it feel like you have been stuck inside for months on end.

According to a study completed in 2010, time spent outdoors make people feel “more alive”. This study illustrated that spending time outdoors can lead to an increased sense of energy; which is vitally important for both the mental and physical health of an elderly individual. According to the study done by Richard Ryan, a psychology professor at the University of Rochester, "Nature is fuel for the soul. Often when we feel depleted we reach for a cup of coffee, but research suggests a better way to get energized is to connect with nature."

It is evident that spending time outdoors is critical to a full and healthy life and there are numerous activities that elderly individuals can be included in. It will depend on individual preference and ability, but the following gives a plethora of ideas to choose from when you want to break away from being indoors and help your client feel lively and enjoy the great outdoors.

·         Outdoor Craft Shows and Flea Markets
·         Outdoor Theatre or Concert
·         Flying Kites
·         Picnic
·         Yard Games
o   Croquet
o   Shuffleboard
·         Fishing
·         Gardening
·         Berry or Apple Picking
·         Bird Watching
·         Take a Stroll!

Each one of these aforementioned activities can have positive effects for an elderly individual as physical activity has been shown to reduce blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, reduce body weight and improve self-esteem. Stepping away from focusing solely on the physical activity aspect of spending time outside; research has shown that nature-based experiences have been found to be therapeutic, restorative and help contribute to the emotional and psychological intangibles of well-being.

As noted, there are numerous different reasons why it is important for elderly individuals to spend time outdoors, but is it critical to remember and keep detailed notes of their limitations and physical abilities, as you do not want to overdo it and put them in a potentially dangerous or uncomfortable situation.

Schulte, Marty. "Top Outdoor Elderly Activities." Elder-one-stop.com. OneSong, LLC, 2009. Web. 10 Apr. 2015. <http://www.elder-one-stop.com/outdoor-elderly-activities.html>.

Ryan, Richard. "Spending Time in Nature Makes People Feel More Alive, Study Shows." : Rochester News. University of Rochester, 3 June 2010. Web. 10 Apr. 2015. <http://www.rochester.edu/news/show.php?id=3639>.


Chalfont, G. E. (2006). Connection to Nature at the Building Edge: Towards a Therapeutic Architecture for Dementia Care Environments. PhD Thesis. University of Sheffield. <http://www.chalfontdesign.com/media/why.pdf>

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 29, 2015 at 8:24 AM

    Seeing the green grass and trees is a welcomed sight after a rough winter. I enjoy the outdoors and looking at the beauty around us. The other day on the way home from work I saw a Doe and her two fawns grazing in the fields in Fairfax. What a beauty to witness. The outdoors is refreshing and healthy for the soul.

    Brenda Hale-Office Reception/ TLC Nursing/ South Burlington, VT

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Story to becoming a Caregiver by Yenda’Me Malia, LNA

By
I grew up in Claremont, New Hampshire with my mother, father, and older brother, Tony. All of us were healthy, except for Mum, she was always sick. I cannot remember a time in my childhood, or my adulthood when she did not have something wrong with her. She had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, ovarian cancer, and diabetes, to name a few. She fought hard to be well, and, with the exception of all her life-threatening illnesses, she was able to lead a somewhat normal life. There were, however, a lot of trips to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, a lot of check-ups with her general practitioner and a lot of treatments; some common, some experimental, some that could kill her. As a young child in elementary and middle school, I worried about my mother all the time. There were many days I envisioned coming home from school to find her deceased, and it terrified me. When I knew she was having a particularly bad day, I would do extra chores to help her out, so she could rest. I knew, from that young age...
2 comments
Read more

Sharing is caring By Wendy Bombard BSN RN

By
When did I determine that caring for others in the nursing profession was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life? Between birth and elementary school age, I required several surgeries at two large hospitals. It was here, between the ages of four and nine that I watched the nurses do their everyday work. As a child, I was excited by the human body, and realized that I had a love for the health care profession. I was given the opportunity to do some community service in ninth grade. I knew immediately that I wanted to be a candy striper in a rehabilitation facility. I remember my first day at the center dressed from head to toe in a red and white candy striper uniform. I remember sitting on the edge of Maggie’s bed and despite her glass eye that wandered around, was focused on her detailed stories of her past. I was captivated. She would share with me how happy she was to see me every week and I felt incredibly special. I felt like I was doing something good with my life, and I fe...
Post a Comment
Read more