With Nature and the Outdoors as a Resource:A Case of a One-Footed Elderly Man in a Wheelchair

• Authors: Linn Terese
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

The older population is a greatly increasing group, and municipalities meet more and more demands regarding the health of elderly people. Ageing results in a loss of mobility and reduced independence, but there are different measures and practices possible that may contribute to maintain independence. By being active, elderly people can prevent disease, reduce disability, and increase wellness. Among these measures, research has discovered that older adults can benefit from contact with nature. This case study presents an old man in a wheelchair and his way of living an independent life despite being physically disabled. Harald is 88 years old and lives in the suburb of Ålesund, a town in Norway. Eight years ago, he had his left leg amputated due to cancer and experienced a long and tough recovery process. Harald‟s way back to restoring his mobility was highly enhanced by the outdoors and natural surroundings, which helped him to restore his independence. His experience, together with other theoretical findings, calls to our attention that nature is a resource on both the mental and the physical level. People who have access to nearby natural settings are healthier overall than other people. Natural surroundings lead one away from daily life and help one to forget about stress and worry. Natural surroundings make one more relaxed and offer a lot of time to reflect on life.

Keywords

EN

Elderly; disability; nature; health promotion; nearby nature

• Publisher: De Gruyter Open
• Journal: Physical Culture and Sport. Studies and Research
• Year: 2015
• Volume: 65
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 24-30

Dates

published

1 - 3 - 2015

online

10 - 4 - 2015

Contributors

author

Linn Terese

• Ramsland University of Rome “Foro Italico” Plazza Lauro De Bosis 15, 00135 Roma, Italy

References

• Adams, J.M., & White, M. (2004). Biological ageing-A fundamental, biological link between social-economic status and health? European Journal of Public Health, 14(3), 331-334.[PubMed][Crossref]
• Bergman, L.M. (2012). Overvekt of fedme blant eldre: hva betyr helse- og friluftslivsverdier, personlig kontroll og fysisk aktivitet? /Overweight of obesity among the elderly: what does health and outdoor recreation values, personal control and physical activity?/. Master‟s thesis, University of Oslo in Oslo, Norway. Retrieved March, 11, 2015, from https://www.duo.uio.no/bitstream/handle/10852/35192/MariexL.xBergman.pdf?sequence=2
• Bischoff, A., Marcussen, J., & Reiten, T. (2007). Friluftsliv og helse - en kunnskapsoversikt /Outdoors and health - knowledge overview/. Bø, Norway: Høgskulen i Telemark.
• Gabriel, Z., & Bowling, A. (2004). Quality of life from the perspective of older people. Aging and Society, 24(5), 675-691.[Crossref]
• Hjorthol, R., Krogstad, R.J., & Tennøy, A. (2013). Gåstrategi for eldre - kunnskapsgrunnlag for planlegging i Kristiansand /Walking strategy for seniors - knowledge for planning in Kristiansand/.
• TØI rapport 1265/2013. Oslo, Norway: Transportøkonomisk institutt. Retrieved March, 11, 2015, from https://www.toi.no/getfile.php/Publikasjoner/TØI%20rapporter/2013/1265-2013/1265hele%20rapporten%20nett.pdf
• Inclusive Design for Getting Outdoors. (2008). How does the outdoor environment affect older people‟s quality of life? Retrieved March, 11, 2015, from http://www.idgo.ac.uk/older_people_outdoors/outdoor_environment_qol.htm
• Jin, K. (2010). Modern biological theories of aging. Aging and Disease, 1(2), 72-74.[PubMed]
• Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S. (1989). The experience of nature: A psychological perspective. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press.
• Kaplan, R. & Kaplan, S. (2003). Health, supportive environments, and the reasonable person model. American Journal of Public Health, 93(9), 1484-1489.[Crossref][PubMed]
• Kono, A., Kai, I., Sakato, C., & Rubenstein, L.Z. (2004). Frequency of going outdoors: A predictor of functional and psychosocial change among ambulatory frail elders living at home. Journal of Gerontology, Series A: Medical Sciences, 59(3), 275-280.[Crossref]
• Korpela, K.M., Hartig, T., Kaiser, F.G., & Fuhrer, U. (2001). Restorative experience and self-regulation in favorite places. Environment & Behavior, 33(4), 572-589.
• Lawton, M. P. (1986). Environment and aging. Albany, NY: Center for the Study of Aging.
• Maller, C., Townsend, M., Pryor, A., Brown, P., & Leger, L. (2006). Healthy nature healthy people: „Contact with nature‟ as an upstream health promotion intervention for populations. Health Promotion International, 21(1), 45-54.[PubMed]
• Rodiek, S., & Schwarz, B. (2006). Resident perceptions of physical environment features that influence outdoor usage at assisted living facilities. Journal of Housing for the Elderly, 19(3-4), 95-107.
• Stoneham, J., & Jones, R. (1997). Residential landscapes: Their contribution to the quality of older people‟s lives. Activities, Adaptation & Aging, 22(1-2), 17-26.
• Talbot, J.F., & Kaplan, R. (1991).The benefits of nearby nature for elderly apartment residents. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 33(2), 119-130.[Crossref]
• Tang, J.W., & Brown, R.D. (2006). The effect of viewing a landscape on physiological health of elderly women. Journal of Housing for the Elderly, 19(3-4), 187-202.

Identifiers

DOI

10.1515/pcssr-2015-0008