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Wichrowski MJ, Moscovici M. Horticultural Therapy for Individuals Coping with Dementia: Practice Recommendations Informed by Related Non-Pharmacological Interventions. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:832. [PMID: 38667596 PMCID: PMC11050525 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12080832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Dementia care currently presents a challenge to healthcare providers on many levels. The rapid increase in the number of people with dementia and the costs of care certainly contribute to these challenges. However, managing the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSDs) has become one of the most significant tasks in providing care and can lead to poor health and well-being outcomes, not only for the people living with dementia (PLWD) but also for those providing their care. Cost-effective, easily implemented, highly adaptable, empirically based alternatives are needed. Interventions such as Horticultural Therapy (HT), which is naturally informed by Montessori-Based Methods for Dementia and sensory reminiscence therapies, meets these qualifying factors. This article, based on a review of current best practices and clinical experience, hopes to provide recommendations for such an intervention along with special considerations for PLWD and adaptations for different acuity levels. With additional safe and effective, person-centered, non-pharmacological interventions available for the complex cognitive and neuropsychiatric manifestations of this disease, a better care milieu can be provided, improving the quality of life for both patients and caregivers. This article also identifies the need for continued research into the synergistic effects of person-centered behavioral and psychosocial interventions combined with environmental approaches to provide the optimal healing environment for those coping with dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Wichrowski
- Rusk Rehabilitation, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
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Orsini F, Gasperi D, Marchetti L, Piovene C, Draghetti S, Ramazzotti S, Bazzocchi G, Gianquinto G. Exploring the production capacity of rooftop gardens (RTGs) in urban agriculture: the potential impact on food and nutrition security, biodiversity and other ecosystem services in the city of Bologna. Food Secur 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s12571-014-0389-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Detweiler MB, Sharma T, Detweiler JG, Murphy PF, Lane S, Carman J, Chudhary AS, Halling MH, Kim KY. What is the evidence to support the use of therapeutic gardens for the elderly? Psychiatry Investig 2012; 9:100-10. [PMID: 22707959 PMCID: PMC3372556 DOI: 10.4306/pi.2012.9.2.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2011] [Revised: 10/11/2011] [Accepted: 12/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Horticulture therapy employs plants and gardening activities in therapeutic and rehabilitation activities and could be utilized to improve the quality of life of the worldwide aging population, possibly reducing costs for long-term, assisted living and dementia unit residents. Preliminary studies have reported the benefits of horticultural therapy and garden settings in reduction of pain, improvement in attention, lessening of stress, modulation of agitation, lowering of as needed medications, antipsychotics and reduction of falls. This is especially relevant for both the United States and the Republic of Korea since aging is occurring at an unprecedented rate, with Korea experiencing some of the world's greatest increases in elderly populations. In support of the role of nature as a therapeutic modality in geriatrics, most of the existing studies of garden settings have utilized views of nature or indoor plants with sparse studies employing therapeutic gardens and rehabilitation greenhouses. With few controlled clinical trials demonstrating the positive or negative effects of the use of garden settings for the rehabilitation of the aging populations, a more vigorous quantitative analysis of the benefits is long overdue. This literature review presents the data supporting future studies of the effects of natural settings for the long term care and rehabilitation of the elderly having the medical and mental health problems frequently occurring with aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark B. Detweiler
- Psychiatry Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Geriatric Research Group, Salem, VA, Virginia Tech-Carilion School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Taral Sharma
- Virginia Tech-Carilion School of Medicine, Psychiatry Residency Program, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Jonna G. Detweiler
- Geriatric Research Group, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salem, VA, USA
| | - Pamela F. Murphy
- Geriatric Research Group, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salem, Virginia, Adjunct Faculty, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Sandra Lane
- Horticulture Program Director, Geriatric Research Group, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salem, VA, USA
| | - Jack Carman
- Design for Generations, LLC, Medford, NJ, USA
| | - Amara S. Chudhary
- Virginia Tech-Carilion School of Medicine, Psychiatry Residency Program, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Mary H. Halling
- Geriatric Research Group, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salem, VA, USA
| | - Kye Y. Kim
- Carilion Center for Healthy Aging, Virginia Tech-Carilion School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Roanoke, VA, USA
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Jarrott SE, Gigliotti CM. Comparing responses to horticultural-based and traditional activities in dementia care programs. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen 2010; 25:657-65. [PMID: 21131672 PMCID: PMC10845608 DOI: 10.1177/1533317510385810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2024]
Abstract
Engaging persons with dementia in meaningful activities supports well-being; however, care staff are challenged to implement age- and ability-appropriate activities in a group setting. We compared a randomly assigned treatment group, who received horticultural therapy-based (HT-based) programming to a comparison group, who engaged in traditional activities (TA) programming, on engagement and affect. Horticultural therapy-based programming was implemented twice weekly at 4 treatment sites for 6 weeks, while regular TA were observed at comparison sites. Results revealed no differences between groups on affective domains. Levels of adaptive behavior differed between the groups, with the treatment group demonstrating higher levels of active, passive, and other engagement and the comparison group demonstrating higher levels of self-engagement. Our results highlight the value of HT-based programs and the importance of simultaneously capturing participants' affective and behavioral responses. Theoretical and practical considerations about the facilitation of and context in which the programming occurs are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon E Jarrott
- Department of Human Development, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, 24061, USA.
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