Effects of Horticulture Therapy on Engagement and Affect

Abstract

Devoir mettre en oeuvre des activités appropriées pour des personnes âgées atteintes de démence constitue une tâche difficile. La thérapie horticole (TH) permet de relever ce défi par l'utilisation de plantes afin de faciliter l'obtention de résultats globaux. À l'aide du modèle de l'évaluation du milieu, la présente étude cherche à analyser les réactions des participants des soins de jour pour adultes à l'égard de la TH par comparaison avec des activités traditionnelles.Des activités de TH ont été menées une fois par semaine pendant une demi-heure dans le cadre de quatre programmes différents de soins de jour pour adultes sur une période de neuf semaines. Des données d'observation ont été recueillies pendant la TH ainsi que pendant les activités traditionnelles des soins de jour pour adultes, au moyen d'une version modifiée de la technique DCM (Dementia Care Mapping). Les observateurs ont utilisé des codes pour consigner les principales réactions de chaque participant d'un point de vue comportemental et affectif.Les activités de TH ont suscité des niveaux plus élevés de participation productive, des conséquences positives ainsi que des niveaux moins élevés de non-engagement que les activités traditionnelles des soins de jour pour adultes. Par conséquent, la TH offre au personnel soignant des personnes atteintes de démence une activité de rechange valable qui est bien accueillie par les clients et qui intègre toutes les personnes intéressées, quelles que soient leurs limitations cognitives. ABSTRACTImplementing generationally appropriate activities for persons with dementia is a challenging task. Horticulture therapy (HT) addresses this challenge through the use of plants to facilitate holistic outcomes. Utilizing the model of environmental press, the current study sought to analyse adult day service (ADS) participants' responses to HT as compared to traditional activities.HT activities were conducted once a week for a half an hour at four different ADS programs over the course of 9 weeks. Observational data were collected during HT and traditional ADS activities using a modified dementia care mapping (DCM) technique. Observers coded predominant behavioural and affectual responses for each participant.HT activities facilitated higher levels of productive engagement and positive affect and lower levels of non-engagement than did traditional ADS activities. Therefore, HT offers dementia-care staff a viable activity alternative that is well received by clients and inclusive of all interested persons, despite cognitive limitations.

The Development of an Enhanced Extension Agent Training to Create Butterfly Gardens in Louisiana

“…The process known as horticulture/horticultural therapy refers to the use of plants and work in gardens to meet clinically defined goals within a treatment strategy for individual patients (Gigliotti and Jarrott 2005;Parr 2007). These programs are designed with the aim of assisting in the recovery process, where healing and curative effects are commonly seen as part of the care plan and goals (Sandel 2004).…”

“…Horticulture therapy is perceived to provide benefits in social, psychological, physical and cognitive spheres of function to many populations. These include: people with mental illness; people with head injuries; people with physical injuries; cognitively agile elders and institutionalised elders exhibiting various symptoms; young people who have been in trouble with the law; and people in settings such as elderly citizens' facilities, rehabilitation centres, psychiatric hospitals, correctional facilities such as alcohol and drug rehabilitation centres, work co-operatives for people with physical and mental disabilities, and in programs for people with visual impairments (Gigliotti and Jarrott 2005;Nebbe 2006;Sandel 2004). …”

“…Among the benefits reported from horticulture therapy are: increases in socialisation, reminiscence, self-esteem, confidence, life satisfaction, motivation and social interaction; improved communication skills; stimulation of curiosity, sensory awareness and creativity; relief from stress and tension; enhanced understanding of life and life processes; increased patience and delayed gratification; as well as engagement in activities and improved physical function which results in elevated levels of autonomy (Gigliotti and Jarrott 2005;Mooney and Milstein 1994;Nebbe 2006). …”

“…A study to assess the effectiveness of horticulture therapy activities was conducted at an adult day-service program centre in Virginia, USA, in a group setting (Gigliotti and Jarrott 2005). The study compared affective and behavioural responses which are believed to be indicators of competence (Lawton and Nahemow 1973), during horticulture therapy and the more traditional adult day-service activities to determine the relative effectiveness of each (Gigliotti and Jarrott 2005).…”

“…The study compared affective and behavioural responses which are believed to be indicators of competence (Lawton and Nahemow 1973), during horticulture therapy and the more traditional adult day-service activities to determine the relative effectiveness of each (Gigliotti and Jarrott 2005). Participants showed sustained active engagement in horticulture therapy activities; spent more time being active during the therapy activities compared to traditional activities; and displayed greater positive affect during horticulture therapy activities.…”