Objective: We examined the effects of a horticultural activities program on the psychologic, physical, and cognitive function and quality of life in elderly residents of nursing homes. Methods: In this noncontrolled trial, elderly residents of nursing homes were invited to participate in a 6-week horticultural activities program (Intervention Group). A Control Group of age-and sexmatched elderly people received regular care without the 6-week horticultural activities program. Both the Intervention and Control groups contained nine participants (7 women and 2 men each; mean age, 85 and 82 years, respectively). In both groups, demographic data, including age, gender, and experience of horticultural activity were collected, in addition to information relevant to the Vitality Index (VI), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), the Activities of Daily Living (ADL-20) scale, quality of life (QOL), and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), before and after the intervention. Results: Regarding QOL, the Intervention Group exhibited a significant improvement in "satisfaction with life" after the intervention compared with the Control Group (P < 0.05). Regarding GDS-15 score, the Intervention Group exhibited a significant decrease after the intervention compared with the Control Group (P < 0.05). VI, ADL-20, and MMSE scores remained unchanged after the intervention in both groups. Conclusion: Participation in horticultural activities reduced depression and increased life satisfaction in elderly residents of nursing homes. However, the number of participants in this study was small, and it was not a randomized controlled trial. Further studies are warranted to completely elucidate the effects of horticultural activities on the psychologic, physical, and cognitive function and QOL of elderly people.

Objective: The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the effects of an intervention of the horticultural activities program in elderly people with mild to moderate dementia. Methods: The study design was a before-after study. The subjects were 11 elderly people with dementia. The horticultural activities program was developed to support mental, behavioral, social, and cognitive aspects of well-being in elderly patients. The program was conducted once a week for a total of six weeks. Vitality Index (VI) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were used to determine the effects of the horticultural activities program. Results:The results showed that VI and MMSE scores significantly improved immediately after intervention compared with those at baseline. In addition, the scores significantly decreased after 1 month of intervention compared with those immediately after the intervention. Conclusion: In this study, VI and MMSE scores of elderly people with mild to moderate dementia improved after participation in the horticultural activities program. However, as the number of subjects was small in the present study, further studies are required to fully elucidate the effects of a horticultural activities program.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a horticultural activities program for the community elderly. Methods:The community elderly were invited to participate in a 6-week horticultural activities program. The Intervention groups contained seven participants (3 women and 4 men ; mean age, 69 years). In the participants, demographic data, including age, gender, and experience of horticultural activity were collected, in addition to information relevant to the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), the Activities of Daily Living (ADL-20) scale, quality of life (QOL), and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), before and after the intervention.Results: Regarding QOL, the participants exhibited a significant improvement in "satisfaction with life" after the intervention (P < 0.05). Regarding GDS-15 score, the participants exhibited a significant decrease after the intervention (P < 0.05). ADL-20, and MMSE scores remained unchanged after the intervention in both groups.Conclusions: Participation in horticultural activities reduced depression and increased life satisfaction in elderly residents of the community elderly. However, the number of participants in this study was small, and it was not a randomized controlled trial. Further studies are warranted to completely elucidate the effects of horticultural activities on the psychologic, physical, and cognitive function and QOL of elderly people.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an intervention of a horticultural activities training program for the staff in the nursing home. Methods: The participants (n=13) were the staff in the nursing home (nurses, care workers, occupational therapists). They were divided into six to seven people per group (a total of 2 groups). The training was carried out 90 min once a month. The training was carried out a practice and lecture. It was carried out a total of four times for each group. We conducted a questionnaire on training content after the training. Results: From the answers of the participants to the training content, participants showed almost satisfaction to the training content. Our results demonstrate the benefits of participation in a horticultural activities training program improved after the intervention. With regard to comments, Training content would lead to acquisition of knowledge about horticultural activities, and an increased motivation to care for dementia using of horticultural activities. Conclusions: We suggest that horticultural activities training program would lead to interest in horticultural activities for dementia to staffs, and increased motivation for the use of horticultural activities to staffs. However, the number of participants in this study was small. Therefore, further, involving a greater number of participants are necessary to confirm the effects of horticultural activities training program for the staff in the nursing home.

Background: The latter half of the 1990s witnessed the introduction of volunteer activities in primary and secondary school; such efforts were reportedly also taking place in nursing schools. Limited study has focused on the knowledge gained by nursing students through their experience as health volunteers in different fields within the community and the significance of this knowledge. This study investigated the knowledge gained from and the significance of the experiences of nursing students who worked as health volunteers for child rearing women, people with early-onset dementia, and their families. Methods: The study employed a qualitative research design, conducting in-depth interviews.Content analysis was applied to analyze data derived from the statements of 10 nursing university graduates who served as volunteers. Results: Three themes consisting of 6 categories and 13 subcategories were correlated with the knowledge that the nursing students gained through their experiences as health volunteers. The three themes were (1) understanding the clients, (2) understanding the basics of healthcare practices, and (3) envisioning the future. Conclusions:The nursing students learned the value of understanding their clients' characteristics, including their clients' family members, and gave care through their experiences accordingly; further, this gave them insight into their own profession and helped them see themselves in the future as nurses and productive members of society/the community. The results of this study will be used as basic materials for linking and integrating regional services and programs offered by university students into curricula through various ways.