The Healing Power of Gardening for Individuals with Dementia

Anyone who loves gardening will tell you how working in their garden brings a sense of tranquility that soothes the mind and relaxes the body. The process of working with the soil, planting, and nurturing the plants brings a unique therapeutic value that, while hard to quantify, is undisputable in its power.

Because the therapeutic benefits of gardening feel so natural, you might find it surprising to learn that there is science to back up that feeling of wellbeing it brings. Often referred to as “horticulture therapy”, it can involve everything from planting, to growing, to the simple sensory stimulation flowers and plants provide.

A series of studies cited by the NIH (National Institutes of Health) found that horticulture therapy provides distinct benefits to individuals with dementia. It points out that, “As a cognitive therapy, HT helps clients learn new skills and regain lost skills. It is a restorative technique to improve memory, attention, sense of responsibility and social interaction with few to no adverse side effects.

With that in mind, here are three reasons why individuals with dementia respond positively to both indoor and outdoor activities that involve working with plants:

1. Reduces stress and anxiety. The simple task of digging and planting helps divert the mind from anxiety producing thoughts. It can also release endorphins, often referred to as the brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters. The result is a level of calmness that is so important to individuals with dementia. Enjoying the fragrance of plants and flowers also has a restorative quality that brings a greater sense of wellbeing
2. Improves physical health. This is especially true with outdoor planting and gardening. Sunshine is a natural source of vitamin D which helps boost immunity. The fresh air is good for the brain, bringing added oxygen to help optimize cognition and alertness. The movements involved in working with the earth help improve circulation. Collectively, these benefits can even help lower blood pressure.
3. Stimulates connection and engagement. The relaxation of working with soil and plants helps remove barriers often put up to avoid interactions with others. This is especially helpful for individuals with dementia who may be reluctant to engage with those around them. When gardening alongside others, they often find themselves more open to casual conversation.

Many of our Anthem Memory Care residents have gardened all their lives. They often share stories of special flowers and plants they remember from their gardens. And they take an active role in our gardens, deciding what to plant, shopping for the plants, and doing the planting and ongoing gardening themselves. Planting and gardening is part of our Pathways of Purpose program, which gives everyone an opportunity to engage in meaningful activities that increase self-esteem and an ongoing sense of purpose.

If you are caring for a loved one with dementia, especially if they once enjoyed gardening, try reintroducing it to them in a gradual way. You might start with some light garden maintenance, watering the plants and clearing out some weeds. If outdoor gardening is not possible, clear off a table and bring in some small plants and a planter. You may be pleasantly surprised at how relaxing it is and how much easier it is for both of you to connect with each other.

That wonderful feeling of connection is one of the reasons why all of our Anthem Memory Care communities have garden areas and planters. We love to work alongside residents each spring to plant everything from flowers to vegetables, nurturing them and enjoying the beauty and joy they bring.

We welcome you to visit any of our Anthem Memory Care communities. We’d love to share our gardens with you and your family!

(Our header image shows a resident of Harvester Place Memory Care in Burr Ridge Illinois neatening up a recently planted batch of spring flowers.)