Therapeutic Gardens For Elderly, Sensory garden Benefits

Therapeutic Gardens For Elderly are designed to meet the needs of seniors who may be living in assisted living facilities or in their own homes. Senior horticulture is an important part of therapeutic gardening and provides a wide range of benefits for elderly people. 

About Therapeutic Gardens 

Therapeutic gardens are becoming increasingly popular for seniors, especially those living in assisted living facilities and those suffering from dementia.

Horticulture therapy can be a great way to improve the quality of life for those aging individuals, as well as provide evidence to support its use in psychiatry and cognitive therapy.

Studies have shown that therapeutic gardens can help reduce agitation and improve wellbeing, making them a great tool for wander prevention. Herb gardens, specifically, can be used to create wander gardens which give Therapeutic Gardening For Seniors an area where they can safely explore without fear of wandering too far away.

The use of therapeutic gardens is growing and many facilities now support the use of these gardens to benefit their elderly residents. With continued research into these gardens, there is strong evidence that supports their effectiveness in improving overall quality of life for aging individuals with dementia.

Benefits of Therapeutic Gardens for the Elderly

Therapeutic gardens have been found to be beneficial for elderly individuals, especially those living in assisted living facilities.

Evidence to support the use of therapeutic gardens for seniors has included research that shows improved mood, physical and mental well-being, and a decline in dementia symptoms.

These gardens provide a natural setting where water, plants, trees, flowers, and other elements can be used as part of therapeutic horticulture.

The use of horticulture activities such as planting, weeding and watering can help seniors engage in meaningful activities that support their physical and mental health.

In addition to engaging in meaningful tasks, therapeutic gardens offer older adults the opportunity to get out into nature and enjoy fresh air.

By providing seniors with a safe space to connect with nature, therapeutic gardens can potentially improve the overall quality of life for our aging population.

Types of Therapeutic Gardens for the Elderly

Sensory Gardens

Sensory gardens are a type of horticultural program that focus on providing a garden environment that can be used to socialize and provide memory care.

Research has shown that lower cortisol levels, higher self-esteem, and positively affected moods can result from sensory gardens.

This makes them an ideal choice for environments such as hospitals or clinics where patients recovering from surgery or other medical issues may be present. With a sensory garden, those tending it would be able to provide sensory stimulation and relaxation for patients, as well as activities that could aid in their recovery.

According to the research of Detweiler et al., sensory gardens have been found to help reduce stress, encourage relaxation, improve concentration levels, and lead to better quality of life outcomes overall.

By providing this unique environment of sensory stimulation and relaxation through horticulture programs like these, it is possible to make a positive impact on the lives of many who need it most. 

Healing Gardens

Healing gardens, also known as therapeutic gardens, are restorative outdoor spaces designed to help people with illness or loss of independence get exercise and physical activity.

Detweiler et al. have studied the benefits that healing gardens offer and found that living in a community with access to such gardens can restore a sense of independence and wellbeing for those affected by cardiac illness, cognitively or involuntarily.

Program directors at hospitals often use these spaces to give residents an alternative to their hospital rooms and draw their attention away from the involuntary care they are receiving.

Residents may benefit from going outdoors to get some physical activity and take in the scenery, helping them feel more in control of their health journey.

Healing gardens provide a safe and calming environment for those recovering from illnesses or surgery, allowing them to focus on their healing process without being confined to a hospital room.

Meditation Gardens

Meditation gardens provide a living community outside in nature for people to cultivate and nurture. Gardening is a great way to provide a sense of purpose, as well as relief from health issues or mental disorientation.

As the gardener prunes, waters, and weeds, they are giving the plants their natural aging process that helps them thrive in their environment.

Eating edible plants from the garden provides its own sense of accomplishment and adds to a healthier lifestyle. Benjamin Rush, an 18th century doctor, believed that gardening has curative powers and can help reduce stress by providing involuntary attention that focuses on the present moment.

When walking through a meditation garden, many people feel at peace because of the olfactory senses being awakened by fragrant flowers or herbs. This can provide an overall sense of calmness and contentment.

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