Weekly group outings in nature have been shown to reduce loneliness and boost health for older adults living in care facilities.
Many older adults in care homes face loneliness and health issues as part of daily life. A recent study from Helsinki found that regular group activities focused on being outdoors can make a real difference, even for residents with serious health problems.
Small Changes Lead to Big Shifts
Researchers in Helsinki noticed that seniors responded well to group activities outdoors. The study included 319 participants, with an average age of 83, many living with several chronic illnesses and memory problems. Even with these challenges, the results stood out.
Organizing the outings was not always simple. Each trip needed accessible transportation, and the weather in Finland was often unpredictable. Despite these hurdles, the benefits were clear and meaningful.
Professor Kaisu Pitkälä, who led the research, explained, “Group activities once a week over just a nine-week period can already reduce loneliness in research subjects and improve their sleep and memory, as well as their sense of connection to nature. Our study also highlighted the need for older adults in care homes to visit outdoor environments and nature more often.”
Researchers believe that running these activities for longer could bring even greater improvements in health and wellbeing.
What Happens When Nature Meets Community
The activities themselves were straightforward. Weekly group trips to natural settings, paired with the support of peers, led to better sleep, sharper thinking, and a greater sense of belonging among residents.
Regular time outdoors seemed to make the biggest difference. These group activities also helped residents use their own strengths.
Professor Kaisu Pitkälä noted, “Frail older adults have a great deal of resources, and by boosting those we support their wellbeing and health. More than half of care home residents experience loneliness, a risk factor comparable with tobacco and obesity for health and memory. Loneliness is not something you can see on the outside, you have to ask older adults about it.”
The sense of togetherness and connection to nature played a strong role in the positive changes seen in the study.
Finding the Hidden Side of Life in Care Homes
Loneliness is a common problem in care homes, affecting more than half of residents. It’s often invisible, but it can have a serious impact on health. The “Circle of Friends” program, run by the Finnish Association for the Welfare of Older People, has reached over 13,000 older adults in more than 100 municipalities. This program uses group activities to help build connections and improve wellbeing.
After the official activities finished, 65% of the groups chose to keep meeting on their own. This shows just how important these social ties are for participants, and that group activities can have a long-lasting effect.
How a Simple Idea Is Spreading Fast
This research marks an important step in finding non-drug therapies for older adults in care homes. As Professor Pitkälä stated, “The study is an important step in drugless therapies, relatively few studies on which have been conducted in frail older adults with impaired memory who are in 24-hour care.”
To help spread these benefits, researchers trained 52 group instructors in Helsinki-based care homes. These instructors are now bringing nature-based activities to more residents, making the approach more accessible.
By focusing on simple group outings in nature, care homes can help support both the mental and physical health of residents. This approach is practical, doesn’t need expensive equipment, and is easy to organize.
Replacing passive activities with active, outdoor group trips could become a regular part of care home routines, giving residents more chances to connect with each other and their surroundings.
What’s Next for Care Homes That Try This
The Helsinki study shows that nature-based group activities can have a real and lasting effect on the wellbeing of older adults in care homes. As more care facilities start using these practices, residents may see better health, improved sleep, and a stronger sense of community. Simple changes like spending more time outdoors and connecting with others can make a big difference for people living in care homes.
Source: News Medical