Dementia Action Week UK 16th to 22nd May 2022

There is growing recognition of the benefits of Social and Therapeutic Horticulture, of which sensory gardens form a part. In this week we’ll focus on the 5 senses to show how a garden, small or large, can be used to benefit someone living with dementia.

A connection with nature and the outside environment is recognised as having a beneficial impact on wellbeing so, during Dementia Action Week 16th to 22nd May 2022, we’ll be sharing information on how sensory gardens can be used to provide and enhance a positive garden experience for people living with dementia.

 Dementia is defined by the Alzheimer’s Society as ‘the term that describes a group of symptoms that include problems with memory, thinking or language, and changes in mood, emotions, perception and behaviour’.

 According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) there are over 55 million people living with dementia worldwide, that figure is set to increase to 78 million people in 2030.

 How can a sensory garden help to address some of the symptoms of dementia? The sense of sight provides visual stimulation so choosing colourful flowers, plants, garden features or objects in a garden can lead to a positive visual sensory experience for people living with dementia.

 Throughout the year a garden space or a container on a patio can be planted with annuals, perennials or evergreens that have an array of varied colours.

 Different colours are known to impact on wellbeing in different ways; some are calming and restful like the colour blue, green symbolises life and growth and is also known to be a restful and calming colour.

 Yellow is a colour that is emotionally stimulating and can trigger cognitive function and memory, which can lead to the recall or reminiscence of previous lifetime events.

 The colour purple can help to reduce stress, agitation and frustration and aid sleep. Whilst Orange is a colour that symbolises celebration and joyfulness and is associated with vitality.

 For stimulating and encouraging brain activity and attention red is known to be a good colour.

 Using the sense of sight when gardening is a great way to increase how a person living with dementia can interact with and feel connected to nature in a way that can improve their wellbeing.

 When gardening with a person living with dementia always have in mind the impact that the use of their sense of sight and colour can have on their garden experience. The same positive impacts can also be gained by family and carers of those living with dementia.