Nature Without Barriers: Creating a Multisensory Indoor Nature Space to Reduce Distress and Enhance Wellbeing in Dementia Care
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Parallel 5
18 November, 2026 2:10 – 3:20 pmMini Presentations: Group 2
I have been working in care for 19 years, as a carer, alongside the nurse fulfilling clinical duties, training, coaching, mentoring and supporting others on their journey. I am also a counsellor, most passionate about the psychological and emotional wellbeing of people I look after, their loved ones and my colleagues. In my free time I love forest-bathing and long nature walks with my dog, reading and exercising. I am married with 3 children.
Summary
Access to nature is strongly associated with improved wellbeing and reduced distress; however, people living with dementia often face barriers to outdoor engagement due to mobility, health limitations and seasonal factors. I identified the need to develop a low-cost, multisensory indoor nature space within a care home conservatory, designed to promote year-round access to nature-inspired experiences.
Co-produced with residents, families and staff, the space incorporates live plants, natural objects, aromatherapy, birdsong and sensory materials. Evaluation using a Dementia Distress Observation Tool demonstrated an average 85% reduction in observed distress during sessions.
The intervention also supported reminiscence, meaningful activity and social connection. Findings suggest that accessible, nature-based environments offer an effective, non-pharmacological approach to enhancing wellbeing and delivering person-centred dementia care.