RESEARCH
Care Farming for People with Dementia: What Can Healthcare Leaders Learn from This Innovative Care Concept?
Summary
This article explores “care farms,” which combine agricultural activities with care and support for people with dementia. While care farms are growing in popularity, the Netherlands and Norway are leading the way in both practice and research. This article synthesizes knowledge from various research projects in these countries to inspire healthcare leaders to innovate dementia care. It focuses on the care environment at these farms, the health and well-being benefits for people with dementia, and the characteristics of those who use these services. The article highlights the health-promoting aspects of care farms, such as outdoor spaces, animals, and meaningful activities like gardening and caring for animals.
The article also discusses the benefits, including increased activity engagement and social interaction, and less stigmatization compared to traditional care settings. It concludes with recommendations for healthcare leaders, such as incorporating care farm principles into existing facilities, fostering a supportive environment, seeking innovative collaborations, and promoting staff competence development. The authors emphasize that, while much is known, there’s a need for more research on long-term impacts, tailoring services to individual needs, combining client groups, the role of volunteers, and understanding the views of those who don’t choose care farms.
