RESEARCH

The Positive Effects of Viewing Gardens for Persons with Dementia

The research demonstrates that viewing gardens can enhance mood and memory recall in dementia patients, making them feel better and more engaged. This non-drug method offers a promising supplement to traditional treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.
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Summary

This research examines how viewing gardens can positively impact people with dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia, a progressive loss of memory and cognitive abilities, poses a significant challenge both for those affected and for their caregivers. Traditional treatments for Alzheimer’s mainly involve medications to enhance brain function. However, this study focuses on non-drug interventions, specifically the effects of observing gardens on the mood, stress levels, and memory retrieval of elderly patients. The researchers conducted behavioral assessments by tracking verbal and emotional responses during garden viewing sessions at a hospital and a terrace.

The study found that garden viewing had a noticeable positive effect on the patients’ emotions and memory recall. Participants showed an increase in positive comments and recollections of past memories while spending time in the garden settings. This suggests that such non-pharmacological approaches can be beneficial in improving the well-being and cognitive functions of individuals with dementia.

Link

Goto, S., Shen, X., Sun, M. et al. (2018). The positive effects of viewing gardens for persons with dementia. J Alzheimers Dis., 66, 1705–20

 

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