Sarah-Kaye Page
Training advisor with ETC Training and a Dementia Specialist
Outdoor activities can be as simple as going for a walk or sitting in the sun, however, they can be as active as gardening, mowing the lawns, or clipping the hedges. The beauty of nature and its positive effects should not be underestimated. As children, we are told to ‘go outside and play’ or ‘go and get some fresh air’ because it keeps us busy, helps to relax our bodies and minds, keeps us active, and helps us to destress. This should not stop just because we are older or in a facility. Being in the sun outdoors increases our immune system, positive mental health, heightened positive emotional state, increased production of vitamin D, increased physical movement, ongoing fine motor skills use, and improved overall quality of life. Research encourages us to spend more time outdoors to improve our physical and mental health and overall well-being.
Nature can offer us connections to our younger years including memories of long summers with family and old friends, relaxing hours spent in the garden, freshly cut grass, wedding flowers, or ones they picked for their first love. It can also encourage people to connect with others or a new hobby that offers increased social connection. We can assist people to remain active by maintaining a client’s fine motor skills, mobility, and problem-solving functions in an outdoor setting.
Engagement with nature can be as simple as a smile, a glance at the sun, or a long-contented sigh. If a person loves flowers, plant more in the garden. If they love birds, plant bird-attracting plants. Eating the food from our garden can be very satisfying and encourage food intake for those struggling with lower nutrition.
Being outdoors and engaging in an activity is beneficial for the body, mind, and soul. For many clients, this is an excellent opportunity to maintain or regain skills by doing tasks they would have done for most of their lives. For others, their creative sides bloom. Ask your clients what they enjoy and tailor your outdoor activities to their enjoyment.
- Going for a walk in the garden
- Gathering fallen leaves/flowers
- Harvesting/gathering food
- Planting/weeding the garden
- Gathering fresh flowers/branches
- Flower arranging
- Providing flowers for others (in the facility/home or to a charity)
- Using flowers/leaves/fruit/ nuts/bark in craft activities
- Cooking with fruit/vegetables produced in the garden
- Bird watching
- Discussing animals in nature
- Looking at books with flowers
For clients that have mobility issues, getting on the ground to weed the garden may not work. However, this is where pots and tables can be used as alternatives. If fresh flowers are not available, then alternatives can always be found. If it is raining or freezing cold in winter, do inside activities and have these discussions about flowers they got for their loved ones. Some other ideas:
- Raised garden beds
- Safe and flat pathways
- A variety of colours/smells/textures
- Cook what is produced
- Flowers that attract birds
- Keep the garden tidy and loved
- For craft activities, adjust the requirements for the level of the individuals.
Everyone requires sunlight to boost their health and well-being, so working around different physical needs is important so that people can feel the sun on their faces. Remember that being outdoors was part of our childhood and growing up. This is an excellent opportunity to reconnect some clients with the past and an option to re-engage others with chores, tasks, or activities that they have done in the past.
*The views and opinions expressed in Knowledge Blogs are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of ARIIA, Flinders University and/or the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.