Dementia is a condition that affects not only the one suffering from it but also everyone around them. It makes a person less and less independent, which is challenging for them to accept. This is why their close ones need to stay attentive and make the necessary changes to ensure their safety and comfort. The elderly not only need to be taken care of, but they also should be encouraged to move around and exercise regularly and do something more than live from day to day.
While fresh air and being close to nature can bring numerous benefits to someone struggling with dementia, making the environment safe and accessible is vital. You probably already read books and articles on dementia care, so to make it a bit easier, we have prepared some helpful tips for creating a garden suitable for people with dementia, ranging from ensuring accessibility and security to providing both shadow and sunny spots as well as sensory and emotional stimulation.
Ensure Safety and Accessibility
One of the essential things when creating a garden for the elderly with dementia is to make it safe and accessible. You should remember that they can get confused and disoriented, which means you need to avoid putting furniture, toys, or any other item that may cause an accident or injury next to stairs, by furniture, on the lawn, or by doors.
The garden should be easy to access and free from potential tripping hazards and obstacles. Make sure there are no steep hills or slopes. Add plenty of benches, chairs, and other comfortable furniture where your elderly loved one can rest and take in the surroundings.
It is also important to have railings around decks, patios, and porches to prevent anyone from falling. In addition, you need to be careful with the garden’s layout as you don’t want any dead ends as this can lead to further confusion. Moreover, avoid using materials that can get slippery when wet, and look for any loose bricks, stones, decks, branches, or other potentially dangerous debris. The ground should be even, especially on the paths, with no holes, pebbles, or cracks.
Improve Visibility
Make sure you have clear visibility in the garden and remove any barriers. Overgrown hedges, trees, and tall plants are a problem as they might hide a person from view. It can be problematic for you, a,s you won’t be able to go around your day while keeping an eye on your loved one; however, it can also quickly become confusing for a person with dementia who might get lost in all the greenery.
All plants should be well maintained while walks, paths, and patios are cleared and free of debris. Keep in mind that not everyone can see clearly, so you need to ensure that everything is tidy and recognisable.
Provide Both Sunny and Shady Places
People with dementia may seek comfort in feeling the sun’s warmth on their skin, but they may also get agitated when in the sunlight for too long. It is best to provide them with a place that has both sunny and shady areas so that they can choose one depending on how they feel at any given moment.
Use fences and shrubs to create a shady outdoor room and, if possible, add a table with an umbrella. Also, consider installing automatic sprinklers that can be switched on when the temperature becomes too high.
Add Sensory and Emotional Stimulation
A garden with various plants, walks, and relaxation areas creates a sense of peace and safety for people suffering from memory loss and confusion. You can provide them with things they can observe, smell, touch, taste, and hear. It will not only improve their overall well-being but also keep their mind occupied and active, which is crucial for those struggling with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
This is why it is important to include greenery that has a pleasant scent or relishes the touch of a human hand. Also, make sure some aromatic plants are in the garden as they create a calming effect and reduce anxiety when inhaled. The best choices for dementia patients are lavender, chamomile, mint, rosemary, and lilies. If your loved one spends most of their time in the garden, you can create a private corner with their favourite plants.
Colourful flowers and green leaves are beneficial as they improve vision, while the sound of running water or birds singing provides relaxation.
Offer Interesting Activities
A simple garden can become a great source of pleasure and entertainment for someone with dementia. It is vital to make it exciting and enjoyable to make life more pleasant and manageable. If you don’t know yet, try to find out what activities they used to engage in or what they enjoyed doing before the illness came up.
If gardening was their passion, you could assign a little area to them. Some would like to get their hands dirty so you can plant various flowers and herbs that are easy to grow, such as lavender, mint, rosemary, and sage. These plants will provide them with a pleasant aroma, which is especially important to older people. You can then use the herbs for cooking something together.
If you have enough space, you can create a small pond or a small area with a sandbox or a small waterfall. Water is soothing for people with dementia, and they love to watch the water running over the rocks or falling from the top.
If your loved one enjoys watching birds in the garden, you should put up bird feeders and make sure they are filled regularly. This will also help attract butterflies and other beautiful creatures.
Conclusion
Dementia can make an older person lose their independence and sense of self. However, it doesn’t have to restrict them to their beds and living rooms. As a matter of fact, regular visits to the garden can significantly improve their quality of life.
The key to making your garden safe and enjoyable for someone with dementia is to provide them with a dedicated, well-planned and secure area where they are free to do whatever they want. While getting things just right might take some time, the results will be well worth the effort.