EXPLORING INFLUENCE OF WINDOW VIEWS, NATURE AND CONTEXT ON HONG KONG’S CARE HOME RESIDENTS’ PSYCHOSOCIAL WELL-BEING

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by hdkawk

Investigates how window views, nature access, and culturally mediated spatial dynamics shape psychosocial well-being and quality of life among older adults in Hong Kong’s hyperdense long-term care facilities. Mixed-methods integrate cross-sectional surveys (n=408), semi-structured interviews (n=33), and architectural audits of 6 LTCFs to assess belonging, well-being, and disengagement under space constraints and window-access restrictions. Results contrast Western nature-healing claims with context-specific, culturally acclimated preferences for socially dynamic urban panoramas and identify design flaws. Proposes a socio-ecological gerontological design framework and localized standards for effective retrofitting in rapidly aging non-Western cities.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Study Focus and Context

Methods

Key Findings

Proposed Design Framework

Implications for LTCF Initiatives

Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 973 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.3284 EXPLORING INFLUENCE OF WINDOW VIEWS, NATURE AND CONTEXT ON HONG KONG’S CARE HOME RESIDENTS’ PSYCHOSOCIAL WELL-BEING Mohana Das, and Peter Hasdell, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China (People’s Republic) This study investigates the psychosocial impact of window views, nature access, and culturally mediated spatial dynamicson older adults’ Quality of Life (QOL) in Hong Kong’s (HK) hyperdense Long-term Care Facilities (LTCFs) . The study evaluates how environmental factors affect residents’ sense of belonging, wellbeing, and disengagement in care homes with spatial constraints and window access restrictions. The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on confined spaces underscored the importance of indoor environments to mitigate social isolation. A methodologically rigorous mixed-methods approach integrates cross-sectional surveys (n = 408) assessing nature and view perceptions, semi-structured interviews (n = 33) examining lived experiences, and architectural audits of 6 LTCFs to evaluate space configurations. Although quantitative data supports Western literature on nature’s healing properties, qualitative and contextual analyses show that HK’s hyper-urbanized milieu, withinadequate green/blue infrastructure and people’s cultural acclimation to density, favoured socially dynamic urban panoramas over passive nature scenes. Architectural audits revealed systemic design flaws such as tokenistic nature integrations. The study proposes a socio-ecological gerontological design framework that challenges universalist beliefs about nature’s importance in well-being and emphasizes culturally appropriate models for hyperdense Asian cities. It presents context-specific design paradigms that prioritize spatial efficiency, dynamic urban imagery, and micro-nature integrations for high-rise limits by combining architectural analysis with psychosocial insights. These findings foster evidence-based LTCF initiatives and advocate for localized design standards and retrofitting solutions that address HK’ssocio-spatial constraints. The findings indicate that well-being frameworks tailored to the specific contexts of non-Western, densely populated urban areas should be developed to effectively support their rapidly aging populations.

FAQs

What does the study examine about Hong Kong care home residents?

It examines how window views, nature access, and culturally mediated spatial dynamics affect psychosocial well-being and quality of life for older adults in Hong Kong’s hyperdense long-term care facilities.

How was the research conducted?

The study used a mixed-methods design combining cross-sectional surveys (n=408), semi-structured interviews (n=33), and architectural audits of 6 LTCFs to analyze space configurations and resident experiences.

What key conclusion challenges a universal view of nature’s benefits?

Quantitative results align with Western literature on nature’s healing properties, but qualitative and contextual analyses show that Hong Kong’s dense, culturally adapted urban environment can favor socially dynamic urban panoramas over passive nature scenes.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by hdkawk