Dementia/Special Needs Gardens
Currently in the UK, around 700,000 people have Dementia. By 2021, this will increase to approximately 1 million and by 2051, to 1.8 million.
1.3% of people in the UK aged between 65-70 have Dementia, increasing to over 20% for those over 85 years old.
A person suffering from Dementia has low levels of being part of any enjoyable activity and therefore it is important that methods are put in place to stimulate activity and a more holistic approach has a greater chance of success.
This may take many forms such as social contact, communication, reminiscence, creative activity, mental stimulation, etc. One such activity can be the physical action of pottering about in the garden, being outside and enjoying a natural environment.
Dementia is the part of the brain that just cannot remember, its mapping process is compromised. It’s the loss of complex sequencing, timekeeping, impulse control, learning new things are difficult. Only emotional expression seems to remain with dementia. Therefore any garden must be laid out in a form that is easy to understand and have key areas or mapping points, that dementia suffers can easily remember, such as a feature, a seat, a shady location or a simple walkway.
Add to this building edge design, which means effectively 5-10m inside the building and the same outside is viewed as one area. Many residents may never move beyond this point and its design is vital for any success. As should the doorway out and in, in as much as, that it is recognised as a doorway to the age group the home is looking after and not modern, which is confusing and not easily understood.
Once this has been fully realised and considered, with careful consideration of pathways, boundary treatment and technology , then and only then can the sensory elements be considered and located
We at TLA believe that the use of modern technology should be more readily used. Whilst some equipment may be prohibitive, the use of external garden speakers, servo’s to move plants to a pre programmed computer, lighting and even stage equipment, as used in modern performances, can greatly lift a garden and provide added stimulation.
But not all gardens need to be active, as some Dementia sufferers like to just sit and relax in the garden in a passive manner. To merely create a Sensory Garden as such can greatly miss the full potential of the area and might not always meet the needs of the individual.
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