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

• Main Authors: Othman, Rashidi, Johari, Nursyafica Nadia, Mohd Hatta, Farah Ayuni, Ramya, Razanah, Wan Sulaiman, Wan Syibrah Hanisah, Mohd Latiff, Nur Hanie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Jomard Publishing 2022
• Subjects: BPG113 Environmental ethics/responsibility. Sustainable living.; BPG80 Islam and tourism. Sustainable tourism; GE Environmental Sciences; GV Recreation Leisure; NA2542.35 Environmental aspect of architecture; QH541.13 Ecology
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/97815/1/97815_Forest%20therapy%20and%20design%20preferences.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/97815/; http://jomardpublishing.com/journals.aspx?lang=en&id=10&info=New%20Design%20Ideas

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.