A healthcare enhancement for senior citizens using forest therapy (Shinrin-Yoku) concept at Health Forest of Terengganu

Abstract

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 almost quadrupled over the past five decades, growing from 7.4 million in 1957 to 27.4 million in 2010. The population has always been on the world's attention, especially fertility, birth, death, migration, education, poverty and ageing. Forest therapy, also known as Shinrin-Yoku, is also considered a form of nature therapy. It functions through exposure to natural stimuli that render a state of physiological relaxation. In this research, the concept of forest therapy is used to enhance the wellness of the senior citizen by implementing therapeutic recreational elements that are suitable for them. In order to achieve the objectives of this research, the methodology used for the study consists of in-depth interviews with two expert gerontologists, pilot study research, observation, conducting survey questionnaire with 200 respondents, and conducting fieldwork such as soil and water sampling at heath forest. This research's findings include the senior citizen's behaviour on their barrier and limitation in participating in physical activities, mainly because of their ageing sicknesses such as dementia, joint pain, and other elderly diseases. Other than body ailments, the elderly's limitations and barriers are lack of motivation, risk of getting injuries, and shyness of carrying activities in public areas. Their design preferences are identified according to their physical health needs and preferences that have been surveyed through questionnaires distributed to create a senior citizen's space preferred by this targeted group. Identifying their design preferences can motivate them to participate in physical activities hence, improving their wellbeing. Then, integrating the landscape character and environment of heath forest into forest therapy concept by identifying the forest's landscape and environmental quality index. The senses of senior citizen's stimulation, sight, sound, touch, and scent are discussed to integrate with the landscape character of heath forest, enhancing seniors' wellness by implementing therapeutic elements. Based on the data collected during the research, it is found that any form of natural attributes activities can help to enhance the wellness of the elderly society through implementing therapeutic recreational elements based on the user's limitations and preferences. It is recommended that the forest therapy concept emerges as an approach that helps enhance the wellness of the senior citizen. This recommendation is to ensure that this study achieved its aim to integrate a forest therapy (Shinrin-Yoku) concept in heath forest that helps enhance the senior citizen's wellness by implementing therapeutic recreational elements suitable for them.

Keywords: Senior citizens, Forest therapy, Wellness, Elderly, Heath Forest, Ageing society.