The Effects of a Horticulture Activity Program on the Psychological Well-being of Older People in a Long-term Care Facility

• Published in: HortTechnology (Alexandria, Va.) Vol. 13; no. 1; pp. 81 - 85
• Main Authors: Barnicle, Tom, Midden, Karen Stoelzle
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2003
• ISSN: 1063-0198; 1943-7714
• DOI: 10.21273/horttech.13.1.0081

This study investigated the effects of indoor horticulture activities on the current psychological well-being of older people in two long-term care facilities over a 7-week period. Thirty-one participants at one facility served as the control group. Thirty-one participants at another facility served as the horticulture group. Participants in both facilities continued with their normal daily routine and activities over the 7-week period; however, the horticulture group participated in a 1-hour horticulture activity session once a week over the 7-week period and the control group did not. The control group and horticulture group did not differ significantly in psychological well-being prior to the start of the study. After the 7-week program, the horticulture group had a significant increase in psychological well-being, whereas the control group had a slight decrease in psychological well-being. The results of this study indicate that horticulture activities may have a beneficial effect on the current psychological well-being of older people in a long-term care facility.