Design outdoor gardens or sitting areas for interaction between patients and visitors. Set aside special areas for nursing home residents to allow for pets. Positive Distractions Ulrich believes that a lack of personal stimulation may lead patients to focus on their illnesses and lead to additional stress. In various studies of ICUs, dating from as early as 1967, lack of windows has been shown to lead to anxiety, depression, delirium and even psychosis. Other common conditions such as uniformly high levels and continual noise from various machines and medical equipment only serve to aggravate the situation.
Nature is one of the most successful sources of positive distraction.
Simply viewing a mural of a water scene has been shown to alter electrical activity in the brain, reduce levels of stress hormones and ease muscle tension. Designers must take care, however, that the distractions they provide are positive and do not overstimulate patients, says Ulrich. For instance, while intuitive reasoning might indicate that artwork of any kind would be a pleasant diversion, studies have shown that abstract pictures and nature scenes depicting high levels of activity actually tend to raise anxiety levels in patients, higher even than those with no source of distraction at all. Use water and fire elements, including fountains, fireplaces and fish tanks, whenever possible. Lower window sills to allow access to views for bed-bound patients.