“Come on, Mary, let’s see how the tomatoes are doing.” This simple nudge to go outside and visit the therapeutic garden is a straightforward step toward encouraging gardening activities that has far-reaching outcomes. In addition to lowering rates of depression and encouraging physical healing, structured gardening activities have now been shown to impact memory. In a study conducted in the United Kingdom, researchers found that over a period of one year patients with early-onset dementia showed an improvement in mood and sociability, while their memory and concentration remain stable. These positive results suggest that overall well-being can be maintained while living with early-onset dementia, using the non-medicinal approach of just two hours of structured gardening activities each week. Design for Generations’ Jack Carman has found one universal desire when visiting care communities around the country: “Gardening is older adults’ most desired recreational activity. There is something intuitive about it that allows people to get lost in the moment, thanks to the methodic movements of digging in the soil and caring for the plants.” A few ideas for organized gardening activities include: Creating a nature journal to draw or write about the progress of the garden Planting annual flower and vegetable seeds in raised flower beds Picking and then assembling the ingredients for meals Structured gardening activities maintain and can build older adults’ connection to the world around them, stimulating their minds while improving quality of life.
This time of year can be rather taxing, for a few reasons. The natural variances in weather during April become frustrating as we desire warm breezes and sunny days. Challenges arise for those planning and enjoying therapeutic gardens. It’s no longer winter, yet not quite soon enough to plant summer-loving flowers. This month, when feeling taxed, turn your attention to rest. Planning the incorporation of beautiful, thoughtful rest spaces in your garden can be accomplished no matter what Mother Nature has in store. Spend time in your carefully chosen rest area to renew your mind, body and spirit in preparation for the summer months to roll in. Much like the ripple effect created by dropping a pebble in an undisturbed pond, the physical and psychological benefits of therapeutic gardens extend far beyond the gardener. Rest stations create inviting, soothing spaces that invite older adults, staff and volunteers to linger in your therapeutic healing garden. A classic wooden bench serves both as a natural place for quiet conversation, as well as a midpoint stop for an older adult walking with their physical therapist. A tree swing begs a passerby to curl up with a good book and a hot cup of tea. A lounge chair under an umbrella encourages a family visit to extend into the late afternoon. Rest stations carve out natural environments that inspire connection with others, connection with oneself, and connection with nature. Spending time in therapeutic gardens strengthens immune systems and encourages the body’s natural healing. Thoughtfully planned and strategically placed rest stations maximize opportunities for your garden’s visitors to sit back, enjoy, and rest – both when life is taxing, and when life is beautiful.
The sight of crocus forcing itself through the hard soil serves as the first proof that the world is ready to bloom once more. Following suit are the white daisy-like blossoms of bloodroot, which thrive in shaded and woodland gardens, and the classic bright petals of daffodils, which enjoy full sun. The days are longer, yes, but the mere presence of garden flowers help to rejuvenate the human spirit and lift moods. Until recently, however, no studies have existed that prove the relationship between flowers and positive mood. As researchers note in An Environmental Approach to Positive Emotions: Flowers, “For more than 5,000 years, people have cultivated flowers although there is no known reward for this costly behavior.” Today, our body of knowledge in this area is beginning to grow, as we understand that emotional well-being directly impacts physical health and longevity. In their study, the above researchers found that senior citizens provided with flowers over a two-week period reported both short-term and long-term effects on mood. Flower recipients reported a higher interest and engagement in the world around them, increased happiness, reduced rates of depression and higher scores on an episodic memory test. All recipients responded with a genuine, heartfelt smile when presented with flowers – a smile scientifically called a Duchenne smile. True smiles change brain chemistry, prompting the release of endorphins and serotonin. As Mother Nature herself begins to smile this month, she provides us with an abundance of natural, blossoming tools to elicit Duchenne smiles from others. Consider presenting older adults with a flower from early spring’s blooms in your therapeutic garden, and watch the reaction – and their mood – light up the room.
With the new year typically comes a renewed focus on physical health. One undervalued contributing factor to physical health is the body’s exposure to nature. This month, let nature nurture older adults. Spending time in therapeutic gardens – even in winter –strengthens immune systems and encourages the body’s natural healing. In particular, proximity to plants and exposure to natural sunlight both boost physical health. Plants produce airborne chemicals called phytoncides to protect themselves from insects, bacteria and fungi. When people spend time near plants, they naturally breathe in these antibacterial and antifungal chemicals which, in turn, decrease the body’s stress hormones and increase a type of white blood cell called natural killer (NK) cells. This healthy combination promotes physical healing, which can lead to shorter recovery times and a decreased need for painkillers. The body also experiences physiological changes from exposure to natural sunlight. Adults over the age of 50 have a medical need for an increased amount of vitamin D, known as the “sunshine vitamin” because the body produces it in response to exposure to sunlight. In addition to protecting bone strength and heart health, studies have also suggested that vitamin D helps to reduce the likelihood of being infected with the flu. Skin exposed to sunlight for 10 to 15 minutes a day, three times a week, will spur the body to produce adequate levels of vitamin D. Encourage older adults to continue to immerse themselves in your therapeutic garden this January, surrounding themselves with plants and sunlight, to improve overall physical health.
While sometimes overlooked by care teams, a diminished sense of smell negatively impacts quality of life for elderly people. Without valuable sensory input from our noses, the world is a much different place, lacking liveliness and becoming muted. While scientists once thought that humans could detect 10,000 distinct smells, with newer technology they have recently discovered that humans can, in fact, detect over one trillion scents. Although the body renews scent cells every 30 to 60 days, age diminishes the ability for the body to replace these cells. According to a 2006 article in the National Center for Biotechnology Information, “More than 75% of people over the age of 80 years have evidence of major olfactory impairment.” In addition to age, medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Bell’s palsy and Parkinson’s disease contribute to olfactory impairment. When included in a therapeutic healing garden, residents can rely on strategically placed, strongly scented nontoxic plants to serve as sensory cue reference points. The plants remind them of their location, giving them the confidence to be as independent as possible as they enjoy the garden. Likewise, incorporating these plants also helps to trigger memories of days gone by. The slightly spicy scent of basil may elicit fond memories of cooking homemade tomato sauce. The sweet smell of lilacs may awaken memories of a long-ago childhood home. In addition to triggering memories, scented plants help to connect residents to the world around them today. Lining walkways with now-popular plants such as chocolate mint and pineapple sage give residents and guests the opportunity to brush up against the plants, or reach down and grab the leaves, releasing wafts of scent through the air. Choosing boldly scented plants such as these helps to overcome some of the elderly’s olfactory impairment, giving them the opportunity to smell the world around them once again. While “stop and smell the roses” may be a cliché, the sentiment is based on sound science: our sense of smell contributes to quality of life, and should be considered when building a therapeutic healing garden.
Color creates moments of joy and contentment. The pull of color is a strong one; when people notice pops of red or orange color outside through a window, their natural inclination is to seek out that color. Getting residents, and their caregivers and visitors, outside amongst these vibrant colors helps to promote healing and a sense of wellbeing.
Go ahead, get dirty. Despite your mother’s reprimands when you were a child, getting your hands dirty is actually good for you.
When we first spring ahead to Daylight Saving Time, many of us can’t say we have much “spring” in our step. While Daylight Saving Time disrupts our circadian rhythm, our natural 24 hour wake-sleep cycle, introducing sunlight and darkness at the newly appropriate times trains your body to adjust to the new schedule. Light suppresses your body’s production of melatonin, the hormone which causes you to feel sleepy. Rather than grumbling through those first few days, bleary-eyed and in search of coffee, use sunlight as a more effective tool to help reset your body’s internal clock. On Sunday morning, force yourself to wake up at the “new” time and throw open the curtains to let in the first rays of sunrise. Get outside for as long as you can, whether that means taking a walk around the block or exploring the yard with the grandkids to see what Mother Nature is up to as she unveils her intentions for early spring. When night begins to fall, fight the urge to use artificial light to keep your day going. Dim the lights to cue to your body that it’s time to wind down. Power down the electronic devices, too. Light from TVs and tablets are still perceived by your brain to be sources of light that tell the body, “It’s time to be awake.” Research suggests that it’s tougher for night owls to adjust to Daylight Saving Time.* While early birds may once again feel like their chipper selves come Monday morning, those naturally wired to stay up later may still approach their work week groggily. Avoid the temptation to overload on caffeine. Instead, repeat the sunlight approach. When you pull up to the office on Monday, park farther away so that you’re exposed to sunshine just a bit longer as you walk to the doors. Go outside midday for a quick stretch, or if it’s warm enough, a bite to eat outside. Make the effort to adjust, and your body will respond – just, perhaps, a bit more slowly when compared to those early birds. With a bit of planning, resetting your internal clock using natural sunlight will help to ease your body into its new daily routine. Spring is on its way and, with it, longer days to enjoy time in the garden to work or relax. * (Kantermann, T; Juda, M; Merrow, M; Roenneberg, T (2007). “The human circadian clock’s seasonal adjustment is disrupted by daylight saving time”. Current biology 17 (22): 1996–2000.)
Top 10 reasons why we should interact (get outside) in involved in nature – everyday: Improved attending Greater focus Improve self esteem Faster healing Lower stress Less medication More energy Lower risk of being over weight Greater likelihood to keep exercising Natural absorption of Vitamin D For additional reading, check out the recent article in the Huffington Post – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/11/benefits-of-outdoors-jame_n_6310672.html
It is easy to pass along the stereotypes of aging. We should, however, look at the facts. This article in the Wall Street Journal helps dispel many of the myths about aging. http://online.wsj.com/articles/why-everything-you-think-about-aging-may-be-wrong-1417408057
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Design For Generations, LLC
Jack Carman F.A.S.L.A.
92 Tallowood Drive
Medford NJ 08055
Voice – 609-953-5881
Fax – 609-953-1625
jack@designforgenerations.com
www.designforgenerations.com
