OBJECTIVES: In what way the physical environment of nursing homes (NHs) influences the health and well-being of nursing residents is not well codified. The authors aimed to review scientifically based knowledge on this topic.
DESIGN: A systematic scoping review of research into the effect that physical environment in nursing homes has on residents' health.
SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Search for relevant English-language articles in PubMed and the Cochrane database before April 15, 2022. Article selection and data extraction were performed by 2 researchers. Studies were included if conducted on nursing home residents and if they examined associations between components of the physical environment and health outcomes.
MEASURES: The review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA statement.
RESULTS: Of 1347 articles retrieved, 59 met the inclusion criteria-40 observational, 1 survey, and 18 interventional studies, of which 5 were randomized controlled trials. Certain environmental features repeatedly show significant positive effect on resident's health, such as noise reduction, tuning of lighting, natural light, easy access to garden, dining environment, and resident-centered interior renovation. Nursing home size was not found to have a direct relationship to resident health and well-being, although it is related to more than only the physical environment (eg, social environment).
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: This review provides guidance in selective areas of the physical environment for the design of nursing homes, with potential benefits for the health and well-being of residents.