Event Report - Nature-Based Interventions for Older Adults: Exploring Health Benefits, Underlying Mechanisms, and Future Directions

Please describe the event you attended.The seminar titled 'Nature-Based Interventions for Older Adults: Exploring Health Benefits, Underlying Mechanisms, and Future Directions' presented a synthesis of current evidence from a systematic review. The review examined 84 empirical studies on nature-based interventions (NBIs), identifying a variety of intervention types including horticulture, walking, arts and crafts, and environmental enhancements. The seminar highlighted pathways through which nature affects health outcomes, such as restoring psychological capacities, building physical and social capacities, and promoting spiritual well-being.The presentation also outlined gaps in current research, particularly the lack of detailed descriptions of environmental qualities and the limited inclusion of older adults with multimorbidity or those living in care settings. The event concluded with a discussion of how NBIs can be further researched and integrated into policy and practice for healthier ageing.

What drew you to attend this event?I was drawn to attend the event partly because I was invited by my supervisor, who recognised its relevance to my current research. More importantly, I was motivated by the growing interest in greenspace and nature-related activities, which have proven to offer considerable benefits to older people. Nature-based interventions are increasingly recognised not only for their therapeutic potential but also as a means of supporting mental, physical, and social well-being in ageing populations.

Preventative measures have also gained significant attention as a way to reduce reliance on more serious medical interventions. In this context, I saw the seminar as a valuable opportunity to share interesting findings from the systematic review, particularly how different forms of nature engagement can serve as practical, evidence-based strategies to promote healthy ageing and enhance quality of life among older adults.

How was your experience attending the event? What were the highlights and key moments?

Attending the event was a rewarding experience, not only because it allowed me to present the findings from the published systematic review, but also because it provided a platform to share aspects of my own ongoing research. It was encouraging to see genuine interest and engagement from the audience, particularly around the topic of greenspace and the growing concept of natural prescriptions as part of preventative healthcare for older adults.

One of the most surprising yet positive aspects of the event was the level of enthusiasm for nature-based interventions and the rich discussion that followed. It turned out to be a valuable networking opportunity, allowing me to connect with researchers and practitioners from a range of disciplines who are exploring similar themes. These interactions have opened the door to potential future collaborations and interdisciplinary dialogue.

How was this event relevant to your research, interdisciplinarity and the ACRC Academy?This event was highly relevant to my research, which explores non-medical, socially based interventions for older adults. The systematic review presented at the seminar examined a wide range of nature-based interventions, many of which are designed at the intersection of multiple disciplines including social work, psychology, environmental design, and allied health professions. This interdisciplinary nature reflects the type of research that the ACRC Academy encourages—where collaboration across sectors leads to more holistic and person-centred approaches.

Sharing the review’s findings in this setting provided a unique opportunity to reflect on current practice, identify research gaps, and explore future directions through discussion with colleagues from diverse backgrounds. These conversations highlighted not only the existing challenges but also the innovative potential of cross-disciplinary work in creating more effective and accessible interventions for healthy ageing.

Any lessons learnt / best practices that you’d like to shareOne important lesson from both the review and the seminar discussion is the need for greater attention to context-specific design in NBIs—particularly the environmental qualities that support different health outcomes. This calls for more detailed reporting and thoughtful environmental design in intervention research.Another takeaway is the value of integrating simple, accessible nature-based activities—such as container gardening or arts with natural materials—into everyday routines, especially in care settings. These can deliver comparable benefits to more intensive outdoor programmes and offer scalable models for diverse environments.