Abstract:

The eight-week intervention study, conducted in a long term care setting in Canada with 29 elderly residents, examined the effects of people-nature interactions on residents' perceived sense of restoration and helplessness. The study also explored factors associated with introducing nature into long term care settings to facilitate the well-being of elderly residents. A mixed research method was employed.

Residents living in nine separate houses were randomly assigned to one of the three groups; active involvement, passive involvement, and control. The Modified Perceived Restoration Scale and Geriatric Depression Scale were administered weekly. Participant observation, focus groups, and structured interviews were conducted throughout the intervention to explore the ways in which residents and staff members experienced the use of plants in their living/work environment.

The results revealed that caring for nature had a significant association with improving the sense of restoration. However, participant observation of indoor plants in the living room area did not seem to demonstrate any significant statistical effect. Also, observing or caring for plants resulted in a significant quantitative impact on reducing the level of depression. Qualitative findings were more informative. Data from interview, participant observation, and focus groups suggest that indoor plants can be beneficial when they are cared for by the elderly residents, because the sense of ownership and attachment may positively enhance the residents' sense of restoration in their living environment. Additionally, it was found that physical, organizational, and social environment heavily influence how residents interact with nature. If the objective is to facilitate meaningful activities and relationships for residents, a strong commitment by leaders in the organization and continuous training and education for direct care workers are critical. The availability of space for plants, residents' pride and staff members' willingness to support people-nature interactions may influence the success of introducing plants into long term care settings.