Improve Mood/Increase Feelings of Wellbeing

Personal control over the physical workspace led to higher perceived group cohesiveness and job satisfaction.

After an extensive review of the literature and their own professional experiences, two elder-care researchers have reached conclusions about the design of dining spaces in senior living facilities.

The aim of a healing garden is to provide a place of respite and renewal. Yet such a goal has to include the different needs of patients, visitors, and staff. An evaluation of how three healing gardens at a pediatric cancer center were used and appreciated provides insight into maximizing the use of healing gardens for these diverse populations.

After reviewing a series of published studies relating housing characteristics and manifestations of poor mental health (such as childhood behavioral problems and depression in adults), researchers were able to draw several conclusions about the relationship between housing characteristics and mental health. 

Several recently published reviews that examine the research literature provide information about the appropriate design of health care environments. Taken together, they are a useful and up-to-date starting point on approaching this research.