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Green spaces, dementia and a meaningful life in the community: a mixed studies review

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 14:04 authored by Mmako, NJ, Helen Courtney-PrattHelen Courtney-Pratt, Pauline MarshPauline Marsh

Engagement in green spaces impacts positively on wellbeing and quality of life. However, little is known about the impacts of green space engagement specifically for people living with the experience of dementia in the community; people with a heightened need to maintain a quality life. In this mixed study review, we explore existing evidence for quality of life impacts of contact with green spaces by people living with dementia in the community.

Findings show that gardens and horticultural programs, green care farms, parks, urban woodlands and neighbourhood outdoor environments can impact positively in several ways. Four key mechanisms are identified: Engaging in meaningful activities; Empowerment; Positive risk taking; and Reinforcing Identity. These findings provide conceptual links between psychosocial understandings of the relationships between nature and wellbeing with rights-based dementia discourses.

We conclude that evidence specific for people living with dementia in the community setting is growing and there is potential for green spaces to enable an active and meaningful community-life, despite cognitive decline. This is worthy of consideration by policy makers, practitioners and carers. Future studies can broaden this field of research and include investigations into lesser-explored aspects of quality of life, such as spirituality, and methods that incorporate the voices of people living with dementia.

History

Publication title

Health and Place

Volume

63

Article number

102344

Number

102344

Pagination

1-11

ISSN

1353-8292

Department/School

Wicking Dementia Research Education Centre

Publisher

Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd

Place of publication

The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford, England, Ox5 1Gb

Rights statement

© 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Clinical health not elsewhere classified; Evaluation of health and support services not elsewhere classified

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