Effects of garden visits on people with dementia: A pilot study

Abstract

The number of people with dementia is increasing rapidly worldwide. Developing strategies to improve quality of life for those with dementia is crucial and is receiving more attention. Natural environments are known for their healing effects on most people. This pilot study aimed to understand the benefits that natural environments, such as gardens, can provide for people with dementia. In total, 42 staff members in nine dementia care facilities were recruited as participants in this study and answered a semistructured questionnaire. One-way analysis of variance with repeated measures and the Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the effects of garden visits on evaluated characteristics and the differences in evaluated characteristics between free garden use and unfree garden use groups. Data from open-ended questions underwent text analysis to obtain the principal beliefs of the participants. The staff members reported that garden visits had positive effects on mood, social interaction, depression, and agitation in people with dementia because of the multisensory, gentle stimuli of the natural environment. Of the evaluated cognitive characteristics, attention and orientation to time were improved the most after residents with dementia had spent time in a garden. Additionally, staff members in the free garden use group scored the effects of garden visits on the mood, long-term memory, language abilities, spatial ability, aggression, and agitation of patients with dementia as significantly higher than staff members in the unfree garden use group. Recommendations for future studies are discussed.

“Human Flourishing with Dignity”: A Meta-Ethnography of the Meaning of Gardens for Elderly in Nursing Homes and Residential Care Settings

“…The garden became a focal point for activities and recollections ( Dahlkvist et al, 2020 ; Lo et al, 2019 ) as well as silence ( Raske, 2010 ; Tsai et al, 2020 ), which promoted sensory health for the body and soul ( Lo et al, 2019 ). Free access to gardens and nature is crucial for older people ( Bell et al, 2015 ; Liao et al, 2020 ), and when it is inhibited, the sensuousness seems to be deterred, and feelings of unworthiness and suffering, and perhaps death (i.e., at least emotionally), might emerge ( Eriksson, 2002 ). Such an ordeal is not in line with the spirit of Florence Nightingale (1860) and her views.…”

“…Besides, it keeps older people connected with the world ( Cooley et al, 2020 ), with others, and their roots and preserves their culture and traditions ( Wang & Glicksman, 2013 ). From the employees’ perspective, the residents prefer spontaneous visits to the garden as opposed to planned ones ( Liao et al, 2020 ). Moreover, the residents’ family members appreciated the garden’s restorative effect ( Bengtsson & Carlsson, 2013 ).…”

Influence of Freedom of Movement on the Health of People With Dementia: A Systematic Review

“…For example, another literature study showed that, apart from freedom of movement, a garden characterized by a green environment and being outside can have a positive effect on the health of NH residents with dementia (Van den Berg et al, 2020). Indeed, according to Liao et al (2018), staff stated that the positive influence on health in residents with dementia occurred through garden visits, caused by the multisensory stimuli of the natural environment, which was also found in the study of Dahlkvist et al (2020). However, in all of these studies, freedom of movement was a substantial factor associated with the found health outcomes.…”

Well-Being Benefits of Horticulture-Based Activities for Community Dwelling People with Dementia: A Systematic Review

“…Whereas horticulture-based activities have resulted in improved mood, social interaction, and reduced behavioral symptoms for PLWD in long-term care settings [ 35 ], it is also important to understand the benefits for community dwelling persons with dementia, whose needs and experiences differ.…”