Bringing Nature Indoors: How To Help Older People Stay Connected with the Outdoors

Bringing nature indoors is a simple but powerful way to support wellbeing for older people who spend most of their time inside. At Thrive Homecare, we create personalised wellbeing experiences that help people stay connected with the outdoors, even if they can’t get out as often as they’d like.

Nature has proven benefits for wellbeing. It helps reduce anxiety, lift mood and create a sense of calm, even in small doses. Our Health & Wellbeing Associates take time to find meaningful, sensory ways to bring the seasons and the natural world into the home.

Sensory Activities That Bring the Outdoors In

Here are just some of the ways we help the people we support feel closer to nature — from the comfort of home:

• Seasonal Flower Arranging - We can bring fresh, seasonal flowers such as daffodils, lavender or holly into the home. Together we arrange them, enjoy their scent and talk about the memories they spark.

• Indoor Gardening and Herb Pots - Small gardening projects — like planting herbs or tending to indoor plants — help build a sense of purpose, routine and care.

• Nature Sensory Trays - Using pinecones, feathers, seashells or dried leaves, we create tactile trays that stimulate the senses and inspire memory and conversation. For someone who was a keen gardener, bringing in a container of soil for them to get their hands dirty again can be enormously beneficial.

• Nature Soundscapes and Music - Birdsong, waves or woodland sounds can be deeply calming. We often use music and soundscapes to recreate the experience of being outdoors.

• Reminiscence Through Nature - Many people we support used to love gardening, walking or seaside trips. We use maps, photos and memory prompts to help people revisit those meaningful outdoor experiences.

• Creating Outdoor Moments From Indoors - Simply sitting by an open window, watching the birds, or enjoying a cup of tea in the sunshine can bring that same sense of calm and connection.

  
  

Why It Matters: The Benefits of Nature-Inspired Care

For people who are mostly indoors, whether due to limited mobility, long-term health conditions or recovery, connecting with nature can offer:

• A sense of calm and relaxation

• Improved mood and reduced anxiety

• Meaningful daily routines

• A feeling of connection to the world outside

• Space for memory, reflection and joy

  
  

How Thrive Supports Nature-Inspired Wellbeing

At Thrive, we believe that support should be about more than tasks. Our Health & Wellbeing Associates work alongside each person to build meaningful, personal routines — including ways to stay connected with the outdoors.

We’re proud to take the time to notice what brings someone joy, what they used to love, and what they might enjoy again — even if just in a small, gentle way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can I bring nature indoors for my elderly parent? A: Start with simple things: fresh flowers, potted herbs or soft natural textures. Encourage conversation about their favourite outdoor places and play gentle nature sounds.

Q: What are some nature-based activities for older people who can’t get outside? A: Flower arranging, sensory trays, indoor gardening, or simply sitting by an open window can help someone feel connected with the world beyond their walls.

Q: Why is it important for older people to feel connected with nature? A: Nature supports emotional wellbeing, reduces stress and helps people feel part of something bigger — especially important for those spending more time at home.

If someone you love finds it difficult to get out, we can help bring joy, calm and creativity into their daily routine — including beautiful, thoughtful ways to stay connected with the outdoors.