Green space and older adults’ health: a scoping review

Background and Objectives: Previous research has highlighted the connections between individuals’ exposure to green spaces and various health outcomes. However, the unique post-retirement context of older adults, characterized by changes in activity patterns and mobility, has not been thoroughly examined on a global scale. This scoping review aims to map the evidence on how different representations and metrics of green spaces relate to diverse health outcomes among older adults and to identify the key factors that differentiate these relationships.

Research Design and Methods: Following Arksey and O’Malley 5-stage framework, a systematic search was conducted in 4 major databases: Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCO. Articles were included if they focused on green space exposures and older adults’ health outcomes.

Results: A total of 40 studies, primarily cross-sectional and conducted in different countries, were included. These studies spanned a wide range of green space metrics and health outcomes. Overall, they consistently found that exposure to green spaces correlates with improved perceived physical and mental health among older adults, while these relationships vary due to the influence of confounders, moderators, and medicators.

Discussion and Implications: The findings suggest a positive association between green space exposure and health among older adults, though the cross-sectional nature of most included studies limits the ability to establish causality. This review also outlines potential pathways linking green spaces to health benefits, providing a comprehensive framework for future investigations. These insights can guide further research, particularly longitudinal or intervention-based studies, to deepen our understanding of how green spaces can promote healthy aging.