Gestaltningsförslag för trädgården på Norrdala äldreboende : med utgångspunkt i miljöpsykologi inom äldrevården

Abstract: That nature has positive effects on our health and wellbeing is no news. The healing powers of nature have been described and used to promote health for thousands of years. The Knowledge of how to design an outdoor setting in a retirement home is vast and under constant development. In spite of the current research, many retirement homes around Sweden have an outdoor setting that is lacking. With simple means one could improve elderly people’s opportunity for contact with the outdoor environment significantly, thus increasing the well-being and improving health for the elderly in the final stages of life. In this thesis, I have made a design proposal for a garden in Norrdala retirement home in Lund. I initially present Outdoor environment and Health in a historical perspective. I then immerse myself deeper into the research on healing gardens for elderly people. To get information about how staff and residents currently use the outdoor environment I have done qualitative interviews with them. For five months I have observed the place, to experience how it develops during the changes of season. An inventory of the physical aspects on the site has been drawn up, such as documentation of ground materials and the existing vegetation as well as an analysis of climatological aspects, e.g. sun and shade. I have also taken into account the four zones of contact with the outdoor environment which is important if one is to do a comprehensive analysis. This, together with the literature study has formed the basis for the environmental psychological analysis of the external environment in the garden of Norrdala retirement home. I used the QET (Quality Evaluation Tool) which is a new analytical tool to be used in the design process of outdoor environments in healthcare settings. The analysis resulted in the guidelines that have been the basis for the design proposal. I got the inspiration for the design concept: "Koltrasten bo, glädje,lugn och ro” (Blackbird nest, joy, peace and quiet) during an interview with the resident Brita Kersel, she found the absence of the blackbird’s song so terribly sad. I have therefore focused on elements and vegetation that make a garden bird-friendly. It is also an important part of the concept that the design shall have qualities that are conducive to joyful activities and experiences, as well as opportunities for relaxation and recovery. This refers to the environmental psychology theory; that a healing garden for elderly people should have a gradient of challenge in the design, which gives the users opportunities to find what aspect of nature they need regardless of who they are and how they feel physically and mentally.