a GardEn for DEMENtia
a SENSory GarDEN
the Peoples choice award, Belvoir Castle Garden & Flower Show 2020
One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime. A report in 2019, commissioned by Alzheimer’s Society found there are currently around 900,000 people with dementia in the UK. Of these, approximately, 71,000 are people with young onset dementia, which affects people under the age of 65. As a person's age increases, so does the risk of developing dementia. It is estimated that the number of people living with dementia in the UK by 2040 will rise to over 1.5 million. Rates of diagnosis are improving but many people with dementia are thought to still be undiagnosed.
Dementia can interfere with everything from memory to communication. For many, this means they don't get to do the things they love anymore, but with gardening found to improve quality of life in many aspects including pain reduction and lowered stress levels, there are certainly benefits to horticultural therapy.
BEiNG iNvolvEd in GardENiNG CaN coNtributE to a PErsoN'S wEllbEiNG
Gardening is ongoing and ever-changing, there is always something to do! This border shows that even if you have limited space, gardening is an activity that can give you great pleasure. It can distract, engage, add to routines and be a focus for physical activity.
This border provides all the opportunities gardening creates for stimulation of all the senses. There are the sensations of touch from the soil, flowers, grasses, and water. There is visual stimulation from an amazing range of colours and shapes. There are the smells of flowers and herbs. Also there are the sounds - birdsong, insects, and rustle of wind in the grasses and leaves; and of course, there is taste - eating fruit and even edible flowers.
Each aspect of the border has been considered for its benefit to someone with dementia. The brightly coloured flowers are not only visually stimulating to us, but will also attract insects which in turn create movement, and sound within the garden.
the borDEr iS low MaiNtEnancE aND caN bE lEft to NaturaliSE without bEcoMiNg ovErruN aND uNMaNagEablE.
The shallow dew pond catches rainfall which is then easily accessible for watering. The still water will also reflect the colours and shapes of the surrounding plants, and creates the opportunity to dip hands and feet into the cool water. The lavender and herbs will fill the air with scent and the tall flowers and fluffy grasses will wave in the breeze. The fruit tree and strawberries allow for growing and picking edibles.
This border provides all the opportunities gardening creates for stimulation of all the senses. There are the sensations of touch from the soil, flowers, grasses, and water. There is visual stimulation from an amazing range of colours and shapes. There are the smells of flowers and herbs. Also there are the sounds - birdsong, insects, and rustle of wind in the grasses and leaves; and of course, there is taste - eating fruit and even edible flowers.