EXPLORING THE USE OF TWO DIFFERENT GARDENS BY RESIDENTS IN A SPECIAL CARE UNIT FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA

• Published in: Non-pharmacological therapies in dementia Vol. 2; no. 1; p. 3
• Main Authors: Guaita, Antonio, Gadler, Erminia, Andreoni, Giovanni, Mancuso, Marinella, Cippo, Riccardo Perelli, Cutaia, Chiara, Colombo, Mauro, Vitali, Silvia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hauppauge Nova Science Publishers, Inc 01.01.2011
• Subjects: Behavior; Dementia; Design; Gardens & gardening; Gender; Older people; Preferences; Studies
• ISSN: 1949-484X

The purpose of this study is to examine the use of two different Alzheimer's gardens, one designed as a "quiet space" and the other as an "activity" garden, by direct observations of behavior of the forty two residents in a Special Care Unit for people with dementia. Observations were conducted within the gardens to evaluate whether they were used by residents and how, including frequency of visit, way in which the gardens were used for individual and social activities. Since residents are persons with dementia with clinically diagnosed Alzheimer disease, other dementias or psychosis, we compared the recorded behaviors of these three groups. Findings suggest that the two gardens are used differently in the activities performed according to gender, diagnosis and garden characteristics, while frequency is different only for the time of the day. These data confirm the importance of the connection between persons with dementia and environment, that can be considered essential part of the therapeutic protocol.