Outdoor areas of Australian residential aged care facilities do not facilitate appropriate sun exposure.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to assess whether the outdoor areas of residential aged care facilities used for a sunlight intervention trial had the design features that encouraged participants' use of these spaces.


METHODS
The design principles recommended in the 'Vitamin D and the Built Environment in Victoria' guidelines were used to assess the outdoor spaces of residential aged care facilities that were used in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of sunlight exposure. Attendance rates in the sunlight RCT were analysed in relation to global impression scores of the facilities using one-way analysis of variance.


RESULTS
Thirty-six outdoor areas of 31 facilities were assessed. The facilities met the guidelines for sun exposure, and were generally safe and accessible. However, many lacked privacy, security and aesthetic appeal. Most of the outdoor spaces were not used for regularly scheduled activities. Attendance rates were higher in those facilities with the highest global impression scores compared with those with the lowest scores (F(2,367) = 3.262, P = 0.039).


CONCLUSIONS
The physical environment of the outdoor areas of residential aged care facilities was associated with their use for sunlight exposure. Suitably designed or modified spaces have the potential to encourage their greater use, and residential aged care facilities should also plan regular activities in those areas. These measures can facilitate safe sun exposure, as well as physical activity and social interaction in older people.
Sydney Medical School Northern, University of Sydney, Kolling Building, Level 7,Royal North Shore Hospital, Reserve Road, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia. Email.
Seeta
S
Durvasula
Physiology and Bosch Institute for Medical Research, School of Medical Sciences, Building F13, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. Email.
Rebecca S
RS
Mason
Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Bone Biology Department, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia. Email.
Cindy
C
Kok
Institute of Bone and Joint Research, Department of Rheumatology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Reserve Road, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia. Email.
Monique
M
Macara
Sydney Medical School Northern, University of Sydney, Kolling Building, Level 7,Royal North Shore Hospital, Reserve Road, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia. Email.
Trevor R
TR
Parmenter
The John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research, Sydney Medical School Northern, University of Sydney Kolling Building, Level 7,Royal North Shore Hospital, Reserve Road, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia. Email.
Ian D
ID
Cameron
D000368:Aged; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales; D013472:Sunlight; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control*