Operators can think of gardens or outdoor spaces as something for Residents to enjoy in warm summer months, but our guest this month has been turning this concept on its head. BALI accredited garden designer and author, Debbie Carroll, of Step-Change Design joins Lori for an in-depth discussion on how care culture can either inhibit or help to engage Residents in the biophilic ‘wins’ of the natural environment all year long.

Those who support people who are living with dementia can become used to the way the condition is "managed" in our own countries, with a major impact on the people relying on us for care, the staff, family members, facilities and more. How do we safely challenge these fixed ideas to see what might support a better quality of life? International dementia advocate, Dr. Cecilia Chan, our guest this month. She gives us some great examples of how challenging norms and assumptions can lead to better care .

The direction of design for older people is currently centred on wellness and the impact of biophilic design. In Part 2 of our look at the relationship between biophilia and wellness, host Lori Pinkerton-Rolet is joined by specialists from Nottingham Trent University (UK) during their in-depth study on this topic, this time with a focus on establishing the personal preferences of care home research subjects and what each guest found most surprising from the results thus far.

The direction of design for older people is currently centred on wellness and the impact of biophilic design. What scientific proof exists that these environments are vital for well-being, and how can this be tested in a robust and objective way? In Part 1 on this topic, Lori talks to three academic specialists from Nottingham Trent University, in the United Kingdom, amid their in-depth study of the subject, including the protocols required to work directly with people in a care setting, and the use of AI and other technologies they have employed to assist.

This month we feature an episode from the Third Age Design archives, a Best of TAD favourite which was based on substantial research that indicates pets have important health benefits including: improved mood, lower blood pressure, increased exercise rates and a reduction in stress. But...in senior living, do these benefits outweigh any risks, and how might these be reduced by getting both the offer and the environment itself absolutely correct? Join Lori and three expert guests from the US, Canada, and the United Kingdom to learn more about this impactful but seldom-discussed topic.