Diagnosis: Dementia

The Importance of Getting Back to Nature for People with Dementia

Ann Bossen, MSN, RN, BC

  • Journal of Gerontological Nursing
  • February 2010 - Volume 36 · Issue 2: 17-22
  • DOI: 10.3928/00989134-20100111-01
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Abstract

As people age, the ability to interact with the outdoors may lessen. Frailty and mobility problems create barriers to engaging in outdoor activities or even experiencing the outdoors. The barriers are greater for people with dementia. As the disease worsens to the point of institutionalization, access to the outdoors may be completely barred and opportunities relinquished to the determination of facility personnel. This article will review current literature and some older seminal works on nature and nature-based stimuli for people with dementia, especially those living in nursing homes.

AUTHORS

Ms. Bossen is Adjunct Faculty and Project Administrator, Multi-Level Translational Research Application in Nursing Homes, University of Iowa College of Nursing, Iowa City, Iowa.

The author discloses that she has no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity, including research support.

Address correspondence to Ann Bossen, MSN, RN, BC, Adjunct Faculty and Project Administrator, Multi-Level Translational Research Application in Nursing Homes, M-Train Grant, 203-5 NB Montoya Research Suite, University of Iowa College of Nursing, Iowa City, IA 52242-1121; e-mail: .ann-bossen@uiowa.edu

doi: 10.3928/00989134-20100111-01

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