The essayist and naturalist John Burroughs (1837-1921) elegantly pinpointed the reasons to enjoy the outdoors: "I goto Nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order." For people in the early stages of dementia, being outside and engaging with nature might improve quality of life too. "Outdoor activities in nature, whether it's a walk around a local park or a day trip to a place that attracts visitors, really can enable people with cognitive impairment to live better, richer, and ultimately longer lives", believes Linda Clare (University of Exeter, Exeter, UK). However, outdoor spaces can present their own challenges. A new research project called ENLIVEN is underway in the UK to tackle these challenges and help old people with cognitive impairment to be more active and independent, and experience a better quality of life through increasing their contact with the natural environment.The project, coordinated by Clare, was launched in March, 2021.
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