Grönska - Lunds Tekniska Högskola
Grönska - Lunds Tekniska Högskola
Grönska - Lunds Tekniska Högskola
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8<br />
SUMMAR Y<br />
In the present study we have investigated how elderly people in<br />
Lund, Sweden, experience and value their outdoor environment. How<br />
much time do they spend outdoors, when, and why? What is satisfactory<br />
in the outdoor environrnent, and what improvements could be<br />
made? For several reasons outdoor activity is supposed to be benevolent<br />
to health. We have searched the literature in order to find<br />
support for or against various specific health effects. We have<br />
included the health aspect in our own studies. The report also<br />
includes a comparison beteeen the outdoor activities of elderly<br />
persons in Sweden and Turkey. This part is based on an earlier<br />
study that has been replicated in Turkey.<br />
The general issue at stake was the significance of the outdoor<br />
environrnent when people get old. The outdoor environrnent should<br />
provide both for activation and control. Activation requires a<br />
certain degree of variation and uncertainty in the environment. On<br />
the other hand, control means familiarity, and an opportunity for<br />
personal choice and influence. To the elderly person, control also<br />
means being able to .cope and to partake of the environrnent without<br />
fear.<br />
By means of a theoretical model it was possible to reformulate<br />
the problem area in terms of more specific questions. What demands<br />
do older people put on a good outdoor environrnent? What are the<br />
elderly's attitudes to outdoor activities and preventive health<br />
care? What i& the significance of the environmnent for continued<br />
residence in old age? How can leneliness and isolation be counteracted<br />
by means of employing the elderly's own resources? Do traditions<br />
and childhood .experiences influence outdoor activities in old<br />
age? How are outdoor activities influenced by seasons and access to<br />
a green environrnent? Is there a need for a more secure outdoor<br />
environrnent?<br />
The results give an idea about the places elderly people visit<br />
and the outdoor activities they undertake, The mediating effects<br />
of the elderly's personal resources and their social situation are<br />
illurninated, as well as the influence of aging and of the outdoor<br />
climate. There is· a definite positive relationship between outdoor<br />
activities and good health. In old age many become lonely and<br />
isolated in their homes. Ill health and impaired mobility make i t<br />
dfficult to go out. This is further accentuated by fear and lack of<br />
motivation. A large group of elderly persons find it very difficult<br />
to go out. These persons prefer to remain in their own neighbourhood.<br />
Especially to this group, but also to all elderly persons,<br />
parks and other green areas become very important. The results of<br />
the study suggest how the urban environment may be planned and<br />
improved in order to meet the outdoor needs of older people.