Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Landscape design for outdoor leisure spaces at nursing homes: A case study of Taiwan Suang-Lien Elderly Centre

Author(s):

Tseng-Wei Chao ¹*, Chang-Wei Chai ², Yi-Kai Juan ¹

Recieved Date: 2014-02-06, Accepted Date: 2014-04-06

Abstract:

Outdoor leisure activities are a crucial indicator for ensuring life satisfaction among elderly people and for measuring the quality of nursing homes. In this study, we examined the influence of outdoor spaces on elderly people’ life in nursing homes, analysed factors that elderly residents find appealing about outdoor leisure activities, and explored the design guidelines for landscape elements’ configurations. Based on the environmental behaviour observation method, we drew 32 figures of moving lines accumulated for 7 h separately during the weekdays and weekend, incorporating sight-line analysis and staying circles to record users’ usage of outdoor spaces. Next, we employed in-depth interviews with 10 recorded files and 67 structured questionnaires to analyse users’ preferences regarding the usage factors of outdoor spaces and landscape elements. The results indicated that the outdoor leisure spaces of nursing homes can influence the desires of elderly people to live in nursing homes. Elderly people in this study typically felt that outdoor spaces could regulate their moods and influence physical health. Outdoor spaces surrounded by trees and flowers with shade and seating facilities that were not disturbed by the movement of cars or motorcycles were favoured. In addition, we systematized the interview records to investigate the demand for outdoors landscapes and facilities, and the influences of climate conditions and leisure types on landscape planning for outdoor spaces at nursing homes.

Keywords:

Care service, elderly people, nursing home, outdoor spaces, retirement community, Taiwan

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2014
Volume: 12
Issue: 2
Category: Environment
Pages: 1036-1044

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