The Therapeutic Effect of Alzheimer’s Gardens on Dementia Patients
Sarena Patel, Jessica Tages
College of Nursing and Health Professions
Advisor: Masaru Teramoto, PhD, MPH
Department of Health Sciences
BACKGROUND
• Alzheimer’s disease is defined as a neural degenerative disease
that progressively affects one’s memory, thinking, and behavior.
• Alzheimer’s is a specific form of dementia that tends to affect a
population of ages sixty-five and older.
• Standard treatment of care includes the use of antidepressants,
cholerestinase inhibitors, and stays at inpatient facilities.
• Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the US.
OBJECTIVES
• To compare the standard treatment of care to the use of
therapeutic gardens known as Alzheimer’s gardens to slow the
progression of this disease. Also, to note behavior patterns in
patients and see if they become less agitated.
• To improve on the preexisting layout of the gardens and see if
specific designs play a role in the outcome of patients’ wellbeing.
METHODS
•
Specific designs that aid the distressing patients to
exercise the majority of their senses.
o
Flowers that give off soothing aromas.
o
Gardens are generally outdoors for familiar
sounds and sensations such as birds chirping
and wind.
o
Benches and trees in specific spots so as not
to give off threatening shadows.
o
Street signs that are familiar in the real world
RESULTS
•
•
•
•
•
Improvement in interaction with staff and other residents.
Interaction with family improves.
Depression levels decrease.
Agitation levels decrease.
Cognitive functions show improvement.
CONCLUSION
• A review of the articles shows an overall decrease in
aggravated outbursts and calmer demeanors in all patients
that utilized the Alzheimer’s gardens. No conclusions were
drawn however, because more research needs to be done on
this topic. The gardens could potentially be used in the
future as a treatment options for those suffering from
dementia or Alzheimer’s.
REFERENCES
Assistance in garden. 2012. The Dallas Morning News. N.p.
Ball, M.J., V. Hachinsky, A. Fox, A.J. Kirshen, H. Merskey, M.
Fisman, W. Blume, A. Kral, and H. Fox. “A New
Definiton of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Hippocampal
Dementia.” The Lancet. N.p., 5 Jan 1985. Web.
3 Feb. 2015.
Garden Layout. 2015. Bosenberg & Co., N.p.
Landscape Features. 2010. ASLA Professional Awards, N.p.
Zeisel, John, and Tyson, Martha. “Alzheimer’s Treatment
Gardens.” Healing Gardens: Therapeutic Benefits
and Design Recommendations. Hoboken: John
Wiley & Sons, 1999. P. 437-446. Web.