THE BENEFITS OF NEARBY NATURE IN CITIES FOR OLDER ADULTS

THE BENEFITS OF NEARBY NATURE IN CITIES FOR OLDER ADULTS KATHLEEN WOLF, PH.D.; ELIZABETH HOUSLEY, M.A. H ow can we promote improved health and wellness for elders? For older adults, generally defined here as people who are 60 or older, the health benefits of being near urban green spaces can play a meaningful role in wellness and quality of life. Health is often believed to be the outcome of personal choices, such as one’s diet, whether to drink bottled water, or how often to exercise. Yet health officials now recognize that one’s surroundings, from home to neighborhood, are equally important in promoting health. As people age they become more susceptible to health risks, particularly chronic and degenerative diseases. Population forecasts suggest the older adult demographic will continue to increase and diversify in the U.S. Persons of age 65 years or older numbered 44.7 million in 2013, or about 14% of the U.S. population. By 2060, there will be about 98 million older persons, more than doubling RESEARCH BRIEF Nature Sacred is a program of the TKF Foundation whose mission is to provide the opportunity for a deeper human experience by inspriring and supporting the creation of public greenspaces that offer temporary sanctuary, encourage reflection, provide solace and engender peace and well being. “Neverbeforehavesomany peoplelivedforsolong.Life expectancyhasnearlydoubled overthelastcentury,andtoday thereare35millionAmericans age65andolder.Theagingof thepopulation—inpastdecades andintheforeseeablefuture— presentsbothachallengeand anopportunity.” —Director, NationalInstituteonAging

THE BENEFITS OF NEARBY NATURE IN CITIES FOR OLDER ADULTS

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