Forest therapy and design preferences for senior citizen's healthcare enhancement at Heath Forest, Terengganu

Othman, Rashidi and Johari, Nursyafica Nadia and Mohd Hatta, Farah Ayuni and Ramya, Razanah and Wan Sulaiman, Wan Syibrah Hanisah and Mohd Latiff, Nur Hanie (2022) Forest therapy and design preferences for senior citizen's healthcare enhancement at Heath Forest, Terengganu. New Design Ideas, 6 (1). pp. 101-125. ISSN 2522-4875 E-ISSN 2524-2148

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Abstract

Forest therapy also known as Shinrin-Yoku, is also considered as a form of nature therapy. It functions through exposure to natural stimuli that render a state of physiological relaxation. The concept of forest therapy is used to enhance the wellness of the senior citizens by implementing therapeutic recreational elements. The growth of senior citizens is one of the most significant demographic trends all over the world with the global growth of elderly populations, emphasizing the increasing needs of older people in consideration of the public interest presents a novel challenge for developing a park for senior citizens. In Malaysia, the population has quadrupled over the past five decades. The study is aimed to is to integrate a forest therapy (Shinrin-Yoku) concept in a healthy forest that helps to enhance the wellness of senior citizens. Methodology used for the study consists of in-depth interview with two expert gerontologists, observation, questionnaire survey with 200 respondents, and conducting fieldwork at heath forest, Terengganu. The finding established that the senior citizen’s behavior on their barrier and limitation in participating in physical activities, mainly because of ageing sickness such as dementia, disease, joint pain, impairment cognition, visual distortion, and others. Due to that, a limitation such as body ailment, lack of motivation, risk of injury and shy of carrying activities in public areas influence their activities. Besides, a design preference such as park facilities and amenities also affect their decision to do recreational activities. The therapeutic effects of the forest environment are considered the results of health treatment in the forest environment. Engaging both senses of touch and smell could stimulate the ageing society's psychological effects on their senses. Thus, the propose design and recommendations of forest therapy are recommended for senior citizen for their healthcare enhancement in natural forest specifically in heath forest.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	forest therapy, landscape design, heath forest, senior citizen, Shinrin-Yoku
Subjects:	BPG Islamic geography > BPG113 Environmental ethics/responsibility. Sustainable living. BPG Islamic geography > BPG80 Islam and tourism. Sustainable tourism G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure N Fine Arts > NA Architecture > NA2542.35 Environmental aspect of architecture Q Science > QH Natural history > QH541.13 Ecology
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	International Institute for Halal Research and Training (INHART) Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design > Department of Landscape Architecture
Depositing User:	Dr rashidi othman
Date Deposited:	10 May 2022 15:42
Last Modified:	11 May 2022 08:20
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/97815

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