Nurturing Landscapes: Outdoor Stealth Exercise for Seniors. presented by Meredith Sessions, Landscape Designer

Transcription

1 Nurturing Landscapes: Outdoor Stealth Exercise for Seniors presented by Meredith Sessions, Landscape Designer

2 Today we ll talk about The need NewA.G.E. Consequences of getting older Solutions in the landscape NewAGE modular system A case study

3 The Need: More Seniors, longer lives Baby Boomers redefining retirement Spectrum of abilities, requirements, interests

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6 What is NewA.G.E.?

7 NewA.G.E. Team

8 Contributing Professions Landscape Architecture Kinesiology Horticultural Therapy Healthcare Professionals Gerontology

9 Quality of Life Mental Memory Way-finding Morale

10 Quality of Life Social Family Friends, new and old Sense of Community Romantic relationships

11 Quality of Life Physical Flexibility Dexterity Heart health Bone strength Appetite and diet

12 Precedents Japan Fitness Equipment Trails Healing Gardens/ Horticultural Therapy Preventative Healthcare Universal Design

13 Settings Parks Health Clubs Universities Senior Centers Senior Housing Hospitals Hospice

14 Why a Garden? Stealth exercise Motivation Benefits of being outdoors Wildlife Changing seasons Fresh air Space Restorative effects of nature: Richard Louv Interactive environment

15 Restorative and Coping Resources Provided by gardens in healthcare facilities Movement and Exercise Mild exertion Physical rehabilitation Social Support Among patients, visitors, staff Control (Actual or Perceived) Temporary escape Access to privacy Natural Distractions Plants, flowers, water, nature sounds, wildlife Stress Reduction and Buffering Enhanced Coping Improved Health Outcomes

16 Physical Needs Outdoors Vision and light Musculature Confidence Boredom Control

17 Senior-Enabling Strategies- Design: Involve users in design process Transitional Lighting Choices Loops Clear signage and circulation Colors, smells, sounds, textures Design

18 Senior-Enabling Strategies- Structures: Handrails Accessible, visible, and frequent SEATING Low-Glare and lowimpact PAVEMENT Low vegetation No steps Structures

19 Senior-Enabling Strategies- Programming: User participation in garden planning Social and private spaces Flexible programmable spaces Programming

20 Programming Possibilities Tai Che Chair or low-impact aerobics Concerts Dances Club meetings, book groups, prayer circles Chess tournaments Traditional lawn sports as well as lighter games

21 Modules Hanging Garden Bird Bath Pump Berm Seating Infostation Balance Course

22 Hanging Garden Physical movement Manual dexterity Raising hands over shoulders Popular hobby, reminder of younger days Creating and caring for life Taking control, stewardship Accessible for many levels of ability Social experience

23 Bird Bath Pump Physical Motion Suggests other activities Wildlife habitat creation Bird watching, identification Stewardship, caring for and engaging with wildlife Touching and listening to water

24 Berm Seating Physical motion Social setting Sculpturally interesting Module defines separate space

25 Thera-Bench Formal strength training Theraband exercise system Interesting structural element

26 Infostation Physical motion Integration of programming with site elements

27 Balance Course Physical Motion- Therapy Confidence Textural interest Saxton Holt

28 Other Elements Water Feature, fish, waterfall Tea Garden Flower Cutting Garden Resident s plots, greenhouse

29 Gardens for Special Populations People with dementia Visiting Families Staff Visually impaired

30 Prototype

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32 Clark Lindsey s NewA.G.E. Garden Building Entrance and Information Station Orchard Pond Thera-Bench Station The Ridge Center Circle Relocated Croquet Course Shuffleboard Petanque Putting Green Nature Station Grasslands Hanging Garden Tea Garden

33 Path Circuit Short Loop: 400 ft with 6 benches Medium Loop: 442 ft with 6 benches and a ris Long Loop: 661ft with 9 benches Rubber Crumb Surface: 350 ft with 5 benches

34 Path Circuit Line of sight from bench to bench Path lights to building entrance after dark Unobtrusive handrails line the perimeter of the pond and grade change along the ridge A network of signs aids users in wayfinding. Railings Pathway Lighting Benches

35 Entrance and Information Station Two pergolas on either side of the road Reference Plan The NewAGE Information Station Module Flower cutting garden Detail Plan

36 Entrance and Information Station Information Station with calendars of events, wild life guides and a garden map Tool Cabinet next to door for flower cutting materials

37 Thera-Bench Station Segregated from garden for privacy Reference Plan Next to sport courts for warm-up stretching Detail Plan

38 Thera-Bench Station Grouped Therabenches for classes Surrounded by butterfly garden

39 Nature Station Natural area screened from garden. Plant species selected for wildlife value. Shaded bench looks out over grasslands

40 Nature Station Greenhouse has Binoculars, birding guides, sightings log, and bird seed. Reference Plan Ergonomic gardening tools, and equipment for lawn sports. More comfortable Fall and Spring garden enjoyment

41 Tea Garden Café seating surrounded by plantings used in herbal teas or added to teas Reference Plan View of central circle/performance space Connections to Golf Tee, main path, balance course Shade from existing trees and table umbrellas Detail Plan

42 Tea Garden Plant labels Plant guide and planting plan Reference Plan Tea station with mugs, hot water dispenser, and accoutrements Perfect place for club meetings

43 Hanging Gardens and Orchard Close to water connection and existing resident plots Reference Plan Plant pedestals for flower pot arrangements mark entrance Designed for easy wheelchair access Detail Plan

44 Hanging Gardens and Orchard Gardening without stooping Reference Plan Hanging plants at eye level, easy to experience

45 Hanging Gardens and Orchard Fruit or nuts in all seasons Dwarf fruit trees and berry bushes for easy harvesting Reference Plan Ergonomic harvesting aids Deer resistant species and strategies

46 Center Circle Multi-purpose area for concerts, Tai Chi, chair aerobics, fund-raisers Reference Plan Shock absorbent pathways, lawn, and paved areas to suit preferences A labyrinth doubles for stage Detail Plan

47 Center Circle Labyrinths Meditation garden Reference Plan Folding or stacking chair storage for large events

48 The Ridge Pavilion Rock Garden boulders Reference Plan Raised beds Detail Plan

49 The Ridge Shaded screened pavilion with phone, ceiling fan, and data jack Furniture Reference Plan Storage benches

50 The Waterfall and Fish Pond Waterfall and fountain with koi and live plants. Reference Plan Café tables with inlayed game boards Scented plants Detail Plan

51 The Waterfall and Fish Pond Aquatic plants Games in storage bench Reference Plan

52 Senior-Enabling Strategies

53 Sustainability Wildlife Water Reduced healthcare costs Stewardship

54 Nature Deficit Disorder

55 Wii

56 Audience Questions Expo Booth #625