The dissertation is the first of its kind among the country's 2,036 special housing for the elderly. It shows major deficiencies in access to outdoor environments. Interviewed staff and residents highlight, among other things, how balconies and outdoor spaces are often too small and affect things like afternoon coffee.
If a balcony is too small, then not everyone can join. For many are dependent on walkers or wheelchairs and they also take up space. In addition, the staff must have space to help them, says Madeleine Liljegren, doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology.
Residents want outdoor environments to both socialize and be able to withdraw, but then it must be possible to get out, which the magazine Äldre i Centrum was the first to write about.
It became apparent that the elderly people who could move themselves between indoor and outdoor environments saw themselves as privileged by being able to be outdoors, while those who could not move themselves felt locked in and pointed out a lack of personal support from the staff.
Private garden is missing
Being outdoors has a number of health effects for the elderly, such as increased appetite, better sleep, and increased sense of meaning.
But the survey shows that as much as 62 percent of the accommodations have low access to balconies, outdoor spaces or conservatories. At the same time, only 54 percent of the accommodations have a private garden. 42 percent share with others, such as preschools, and 4 percent have none.
Staff express that they could have done more with a private garden. Madeleine Liljegren also highlights that traditional indoor activities, such as reading aloud and balance training, can also be done outdoors. It would also be good for the work environment, but requires organizational support.
Starting to use the outdoor environment should not be seen as an additional task, because it will not work in the pressured elderly care.
No guidelines
National guidelines for outdoor environments are lacking and all municipalities do differently when planning accommodations.
Only 13 percent of the accommodations have a square within a 300-meter radius, which makes it difficult to be part of community life. In combination with low access to outdoor spaces, balconies, and private gardens, it becomes difficult to get out.
In dialogue with authorities, Madeleine Liljegren has met with a lack of awareness and that many "are shocked".
Elderly people seem to be a non-prioritized group in society that does not even have a strong voice to speak for themselves.
The dissertation "Outdoor environments in special housing: Needs, wishes, and access for elderly people and staff" consists of four studies and was publicly defended in June this year. One study consists of twelve interviews with elderly people at three special accommodations. The second is interviews with focus groups with eleven staff at the same special accommodations. In the third, a matrix and manual were developed to map the outdoor environments. The fourth mapped the country's special accommodations with the help of the matrix and manual.
The dissertation is part of the research project OUT-FIT. It is a collaboration between the University of Gothenburg, Chalmers University of Technology, the University of Gävle, and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. In the project's reference group, there are authorities, experts, and property developers.
In a study that is part of OUT-FIT, a proposal for a national strategy has been developed regarding access to outdoor environments and outdoor stays for elderly people in special accommodations.
Sources: University of Gothenburg, dissertation "Outdoor environments in special housing: Needs, wishes, and access for elderly people and staff"
