The Benefits of Getting Outdoors for Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Most of us are aware of the benefits of spending a certain amount of time outdoors each week and try to fit this into our daily routines. The same is true for people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s, and significant improvements to quality of life have been shown for those who can be assisted to spend time outdoors regularly.
Physical health benefits of being outside for people living with Dementia
Caring for a loved one with dementia can often feel like it consumes all your time, and it can be easy to overlook how something as simple as spending time outside can make a real impact on their day. Stepping outdoors, even just for a few minutes a day, can work wonders for their physical health:
Boosts vitamin D
Sunlight is one of the best natural sources of vitamin D, which supports bone strength, immune health, and overall energy levels. Many older adults don’t get enough of it, which can contribute to fatigue, muscle weakness, and other health problems (such as autoimmune and inflammatory diseases). Even a short spell in the sunshine for just 10 minutes can help top up their vitamin D and bring a gentle lift to their day.
Supports better sleep
Disrupted sleep is common for people living with dementia, and it can affect the whole household if somebody is regularly getting up, wandering or calling for help in the night. Natural daylight plays an important role in regulating our internal body clock. Spending time outdoors can help people living with dementia reset their circadian rhythm, leading to deeper, more restful sleep at night. It also helps make it easier to fall asleep at night and helps people wake up feeling more refreshed.
Encourages gentle movement & strength building
Maintaining physical mobility can play a huge role in preserving independence and quality of life for individuals with Dementia or Alzheimer’s. Whether it’s a slow walk, light gardening, or simply standing and stretching in the fresh air, being outdoors naturally invites a little bit of gentle activity. These small movements keep joints flexible, improve circulation, and help maintain balance and mobility, all without feeling like “exercise”. Small amounts of regular movement also help to reduce the risk of falls, which are a significant concern for many people with dementia. Over time, this gentle strengthening helps maintain confidence in moving around, which can help build confidence and be reassuring for both the individual and their carers.
Mental health benefits of being outside for people with dementia
Caring for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s can feel overwhelming at times, but a few moments outdoors can bring a surprising amount of comfort and joy, for both of you. Below are just some of the ways that being in nature can help nurture mental and emotional wellbeing:
Reducing stress & agitation
Being outside in the fresh air with natural light can quickly ease feelings of agitation or restlessness. The gentle warmth of the sun, the sound of leaves moving in the breeze, and the familiarity of nature’s rhythms can help soothe heightened emotions and bring a sense of comfort. For people living with dementia, this can mean fewer moments of frustration and more chances for quiet, peaceful moments. Taking the time to step outside regularly can also help build a routine, to help support more peaceful and enjoyable days.
Lifting mood & increased emotional wellbeing
For people living with dementia, emotional ups and downs are common, and even small changes in environment can have a big impact. Being exposed to natural sunlight triggers the release of serotonin, which many people call the ‘feel-good’ hormone. This can help improve mood and reduce feelings of anxiety or depression, making time outside a simple yet powerful mood booster.
A change of scenery
Whilst having a familiar routine can offer comfort and stability to people living with Dementia, it can sometimes make days feel quite repetitive, making a change of scenery feel very refreshing. Going outside with your loved one adds variety to the day and provides new things to see, hear, and enjoy, breaking the monotony that can sometimes set in.
Reduction in cognitive decline
Even more importantly studies have shown that light exercise and activity can help with cognitive decline and keep the brain active and slow down or ward off further cognitive deterioration. In older people, this activity is synonymous with greater hippocampal volumes which is known to lead to improved spatial memory function. Exposure to bright light and moderate exercise was shown to improve the ability to communicate in a study of a group with Alzheimer’s disease.
Just as many of us can suffer Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, this can also be the case for people with dementia which provides yet another reason to encourage and facilitate outdoor activity where possible, and to tailor this to the needs of each individual. Even for people who are less mobile, simply sitting outside provides stimuli and fresh air.
Involving the family and carers
For many people involved with caring for their loved ones, there is often an overwhelming desire to protect them. This can often translate to staying indoors where everything feels safe and familiar, and the thought of being outside can feel challenging and stressful. But with careful planning and the right support, it can be a real joy for loved ones, service users and their respective carers.
Activities outside don’t need to be overly complicated. A quiet stroll, a few minutes in the garden, or simply sitting together in the fresh air can create opportunities for shared connection and enjoyment.
Where family carers are involved in looking after relatives or loved ones, this exercise can also be beneficial to them as they may not prioritise their own health and wellbeing or be able to get out as much as they would like to. By making time outside a regular part of daily routines, both carers and their loved ones with Dementia can enjoy the simple pleasures of nature. It’s also a gentle reminder that caring for yourself is just as important as caring for someone else.
How care services play a role in green exercise
Progressive adult care services have long realised the huge advantages of designing a safe outdoor space where residents can sit out, interact with carers, other services users and their families and have a change of scenery in a green space. At Abbots Care we fully understand the need to address the requirements of our service users in a holistic way, which also means allowing space and time for outdoor activity and fresh air.
Simple outdoor activities can involve walking with service users or loved ones, making the most of fresh air and sunshine, in activities or just appreciating nature. Another good idea can be a picnic outside and just being out for short periods of time.
Those who are considering care worker jobs undertake full Care Training and receive support to enable them to fully understand the needs of the people they will be supporting. For many, the work is extremely rewarding, providing Care Workers with a strong sense of purpose.
Resources to support carers
The internet provides a range of resources for those who want inspiration or encouragement about how to incorporate outdoor activity into their routine, be that family carers, a care training provider, or those in care worker jobs who want new ideas. Organisations such as Dementia Adventure can recommend groups to support with outdoor activities in a range of locations across the country, and other sites such as Active Minds have nature activity packs to purchase and suggestions for care homes and those looking after family members. The Sensory Trust also have nature-based dementia and Alzheimer’s games, ideas, and activities that can be found on their website.
If you would like advice regarding dementia and Alzheimer’s, for a loved one or someone you care for, please contact our team of experts today on 0330 094 5511 or view our dementia care services.
