Summary
Natural England, Dementia Adventure and the Woodland Trust have published a literature review concerning the benefits – and barriers – for individuals living with dementia in having access to the natural environment and local greenspace.
The broad aim of this work is to advance policy-development and practice in relation to Natural England’s “Outdoors for All” programme.
“This literature review forms the first part of a two-stage project called “Greening Dementia” which is a partnership project between Dementia Adventure, Natural England and the Woodland Trust, aimed at raising awareness of the benefits of the natural environment to people living with dementia and making clear recommendations for future work to ensure people living with dementia are able to access these benefits”. (p.2)
Reference
Clark, P. Mapes, N. Burt, J. [and] Preston, S. (2013). Greening dementia: a literature review of the benefits and barriers facing individuals living with dementia in accessing the natural environment and local greenspace. Sheffield: Natural England, November 21st 2013. Natural England Commissioned Report NECR137.
Note: Dementia Adventure is a Community Interest Company which aims to connect people living with dementia, with nature and a sense of adventure.
Social Prescribing, Public Health and Upstream Interventions
Possibly also of interest, regarding the beneficial roles of experiencing nature in improving mental well-being:
Reference
Briggs, H. (2015). Can you prescribe nature? London: BBC Science and Environment News / BBC Health News, July 8th 2015.
This relates to:
Full Text Link (Note: This article requires a suitable Athens password, a journal subscription or payment for access).
Reference
Bratman, GN. Hamilton, JP. [and] Hahn, KS. [et al] (2015). Nature experience reduces rumination and subgenual prefrontal cortex activation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. June 29th 2015. (Click here to view the PubMed abstract).
