Head and Heart Agree
Nature Doesn’t Stop Mattering as We Age. In Fact, It May Matter More.
New research confirms what we at N.E.S.T. see every day: a little nature can make a big difference in older adults’ lives.
Think about the last time you watched a bird outside your window, enjoyed a garden, or sat in the sunshine. These small moments can bring a surprising sense of peace and joy.
But what happens when getting outdoors becomes difficult? Does our need for nature diminish as we age?
Not according to some fascinating new research.
What 854 Seniors Told Researchers About Nature
A global team of researchers, led by Dr. Jill Litt, Professor of Environmental Health at the University of Colorado Boulder and Senior Researchers at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), set out to explore what nature means to older adults living in assisted living communities as part of the RECETAS project, a H2020 research and innovation grant sponsored by the European Commission (www.recetasproject.eu).
Their study, published in Geriatric Nursing in 2025, surveyed 854 residents across 25 assisted living communities in Finland. The researchers reviewed medical records, asked residents about their health and emotional well-being, and, most importantly, listened to what they had to say about nature.
The average participant was 83 years old. Nearly three-quarters were women, and 54% were living with dementia.
Many faced significant challenges:
Only 24% could move around outdoors independently.
55% experienced loneliness.
45% felt depressed at least some of the time.
Yet despite these challenges, their connection to nature remained remarkably strong.
The Numbers Tell a Powerful Story
96% of residents said nature was important to them.
But here’s the heartbreaking part: only 51% could experience nature as often as they wanted.
And perhaps the most encouraging finding? 83% wanted to participate in activities that would bring more nature into their lives.
The residents weren’t asking for grand adventures or elaborate outings. They shared practical, achievable wishes for more opportunities to connect with the natural world.
Their answers also revealed something deeper. Nature wasn’t simply a pleasant way to pass the time. It was a source of strength, resilience, physical activity, and personal meaning.
These findings don’t prove that nature activities cure loneliness or depression. But they make a compelling case for listening to residents and finding more ways to bring nature into their daily lives.
We See It Every Day
At Nature Engagement for Seniors Trust (N.E.S.T.), none of this surprises us.
We see it in the faces when we talk about birds. We see it when someone who rarely speaks begins sharing a childhood memory of a favorite bird. We see it when a simple bird feeder outside a window becomes something to look forward to each morning.
Faces light up when nature shows up.
Our work is built around a simple belief: connecting with nature shouldn’t depend on your age, your mobility, or where you live.
Sometimes that connection is as simple as watching a chickadee visit a feeder, recognizing a familiar birdsong, or sharing a story about a bird you loved long ago.
And sometimes, those little moments make a difficult day just a bit lighter.
Bringing the Head and Heart Together
We are deeply grateful to Dr. Litt and her fellow researchers for giving a scientific voice to something that feels so deeply human.
Their work reminds us that even as our physical world becomes smaller, our need for beauty, wonder, and connection does not disappear.
Rachel Carson captured this beautifully:
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.”
Thank you, Rachel Carson, for the wisdom. And thank you, Dr. Litt and the entire research team, for helping us better understand the science.
Together, you remind us that nature has a place in every life, at every age.
About the Research
Study: The Importance of Nature and Wishes for Nature-Based Experiences Among Older Adults in Assisted Living Facilities
Authors: Kolster A, Rautiainen LJ, Aalto UL, Jansson A, Partonen T, Sachs AL, Litt JS, Masó-Aguado M, Pitkälä KH.
Published: Geriatric Nursing, May–June 2025, Volume 63, pages 300–306.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2025.03.061
PubMed ID: 40239391
