Senior Outdoor Survey

Abstract

Historically, healing garden was proven as a green space that promotes healing, designs for the restoration of the mind, soul and body. This systematic review evaluated 15 literatures that discussed design consideration for outdoor activities areas at hospitals, nursing homes, hospices and also public spaces. The purpose of this research is to establish a set of condense guideline for designing a healing garden for the elderly based on the Senior Outdoor Survey (SOS). Two types of literature were included in the study; peer-reviewed papers and best practice guidelines. Finally, a list of the most essential design features has been identified, which may be advantageous for the health policy makers, hospital administrators and designer

1.5 Research Objectives

1) To evaluate the design guideline of the Senior Outdoor Survey (SOS).

2) To establish a set of compact guideline which is the most beneficial to the elderly based on the SOS’s items.

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction

According to Cooper Marcus, C (2007), it is important to recognize that “healing” is not synonymous with “cure”. A garden cannot mend a broken leg or cure cancer, but it can do the following:

• Facilitate stress reduction which helps the body reach a more balanced state.

• Help a patient summon up their own inner healing resources

• Help a patient come to terms with an incurable medical condition

• Provide a setting where staff can conduct physical therapy, horticultural therapy, etc. with patients.

• Provide a relaxed setting for patient-visitor interaction away from the hospital interior.

2.2 Historical background of healing gardens

The first flowering of restorative gardens in Europe occurred during the Middle Ages when hospital and monasteries ministering to the sick, the insane, and the infirm often incorporated an arcaded courtyard where residents could find the degree of shelter, sun, or shade they desired in a human-scale, enclosed setting (Cooper Marcus and Barnes,

A general hospital is set up to deal with different types of illness and injury.

Roman military were among the first hospital with naturally lit and cross ventilated wards separated from each other to avoid cross-infection (heathcote,2010).

Among the first set of recommendations for hospital garden design were those written by the German horticultural theorist Christian Cay Lorenz at the end of the eighteenth century (Cooper Marcus, 2014).

2.4.2 Nursing home

Nursing home is a health care for patient who does not required treatment from hospital but can’t be cared for at home. Most of the nursing home provides nursing aides and skilled nurses. Residents of nursing homes are generally categorized into three groups: the active elderly; the frail elderly, who need help with daily activities such as getting dressed; and the infirm elderly who need regular medical care. Nowadays, nursing home also called as nursing car unit, home for the elderly, care centers, or skilled nursing facilities. This health care facility provides 24 hour nursing care to the elderly