WINDOW VIEW, SOCIAL EXPOSURE AND NURSING-HOME ADAPTATION

Two studies examined the relationship between the physical environment and outcomes for nursing home residents. The first, a longitudinal study, found that a more natural window view was associated with negative outcomes, and exposure to others with positive outcomes, for newly admitted nursing home residents. This contradicts past research findings and suggests that social exposure is important during the initial period of adjustment to life in a nursing home. However, an archival study of former residents of the same nursing home found that social exposure was associated with shorter stays before being discharged dead or to hospital care. Social exposure thus appears beneficial during the initial period of adjustment, but detrimental over the longer term. © 1991, Canadian Association on Gerontology. All rights reserved.