Way-Finding and Sensory Landscapes: Designing Navigable and Stimulating Outdoor Spaces for Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment

This study explores how sensory-informed landscape design can enhance way-finding and outdoor spatial orientation for older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Drawing from interdisciplinary theories in environmental gerontology, landscape architecture, and cognitive neuroscience, the research investigates how visual, auditory, olfactory, and tactile cues embedded in outdoor settings influence environmental legibility, engagement, and emotional well-being. Findings from mixed-method field evaluations and post-walk interviews suggest that multi-sensory design elements are associated with increased spatial confidence and emotional comfort among individuals with MCI. While mobility outcomes were not directly measured, participants reported greater ease in navigating sensory-enriched environments. The article concludes with design guidelines and policy implications for creating dementia-friendly public landscapes.