title: Clinical use of sensory gardens and outdoor environments in norwegian nursing homes: a cross-sectional e-mail survey.
abstract: Gardens and outdoor environments offer multiple therapeutic possibilities for the residents in nursing homes. Web-based questionnaires were sent to 488 nursing home leaders and 121 leaders responded. The clinical impressions of the leaders and staff regarding the benefits of sensory gardens (SGs) to the residents were consistent with previous research. SGs facilitated taking residents outdoors, offered convenient topics for communication and facilitated social privacy for relatives. For improved clinical use of SGs and outdoor environments, systematic assessment of residents' interests, performance and experiences when outdoors, implementation of seasonal clinical programmes and educational programmes for leaders and staff are recommended.
authors.affiliation: University of Oslo, Institute of Health and Society, Oslo, Norway, and Diakonhjemmet University College, Institute of Nursing and Health, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Marianne Thorsen
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.forename: Marit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kirkevold
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D034742:Electronic Mail; D005260:Female; D000072506:Gardens; D006272:Health Facility Environment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D009735:Nursing Homes; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires