Discover the physical and mental benefits of outdoor spaces for the elderlyThe Role of the Outdoors in Residential Environments for Aging presents new insights on the positive role nature and the outdoors can play in the lives of older adults; whether they live in the community; in an assisted-living environment; or in a skilled nursing facility. Current research suggests that increased contact and activity levels with the outdoors can be an important therapeutic resource for the elderly; with significant mental and physical health benefits. This unique book examines how to make the most of outdoor spaces in residential settings; exploring attitudes and patterns of use; the effect of plants; the physical environment; and health-related outcomes from contact with nature and enhanced physical activity. The famous landscape architect Luis Barragan once said; “A garden must combine the poetic and the mysterious with serenity and joy.” The outdoors is a highly desired and potentially valuable resource for older people; making it essential for design practitioners; care providers; policy planners; and consumer advocates to target specific ways of planning communities and long-term care facilities; as well as activity programs; to maximize the use of outdoor spaces in residential settings. The benefits are many: increased well-being for residents; improved market appeal and stabilized occupancy levels for long-term care providers; increased market share for design practitioners; and a better understanding of this under-researched issue by academics. The bookrsquo;s contributors provide perspectives from a variety of disciplines; including architecture and landscape architecture; gerontology; environmental psychology; and horticulture therapy.The Role of the Outdoors in Residential Environments for Aging includes: interviews with residents living in three different long-term care facilities about the significance of outdoor green spaces in their environment reasons for underused spaces in housing projects and recommendations for site redesigns the features of outdoor environments that attract—and deter—usage specific recommendations for older adults of a particular culture the reasons older people engage in indoor and outdoor physical activites an environmental support model the effects of viewing natural landscapes on the blood pressures and heart rates of elderly women restorative experiences in natural and built environments design features; outdoor amenities; and green elements and much more The Role of the Outdoors in Residential Environments for Aging is an invaluable resourcefor long-term care providers; design practitioners; academics; and anyone else who provides mental and physical health care to older adults.
2013-07-04 2013-07-04File Name: B00DSLSU0A
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A must for anyone planning to visitBy E M TaylorI do hope Alexander writes another book. This one was so enjoyable I did not want it to end.I am planning a trip to Khiva and am sure I will appreciate it more after reading this. He provides valuable insights into the culture and he really loves the people he worked and lived with. You will; too.He also has a wonderful sense of humor.If you have any interest in the culture of Central Asia; buy this.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A fascinating memorable readBy ozzieHaving visited Khiva several years ago the book brought back wonderful memories and much more. I found it fascinating to discover the many different aspects of life in Ouzbekistan. The endemic corruption is well known visible (as in the roadworks; the restoration of the monuments...etc) but just how widespread its impact on the society ( one example; teachers have to bribe the director to get their salary) is well described as is the peoples kindness friendliness. The authors efforts to help the forgotten (the divorced; the crippled women etc) with a paid activity making carpets with traditional designs using natural dies is marvellously described. His first visit to Afghanistan (which I have also visited) to look for natural dies is another vignette of life in the Middle East.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I felt his love and his pity for the peopleBy Ling LuiFascinating! The author presented ancient Uzbekistans greatness through detailed descriptions of the countrys traditional craftsmanship including carpets. He explained the current situation including dictatorship and corruption through writing his life in Khiva. I felt his love and his pity for the people. The horrifying banishment by the authority in the last chapter was the most impressive. May peace and justice be with the people in Uzbekistan. The book was the most inspiring companion during my journey to Uzbekistan last 2 weeks.