Dementia can interfere with many aspects of life, from memory to communication and a whole host of other skills needed to live a comfortable life. Gardening has been shown to have many benefits that improve quality of life for a person living with dementia.
With age, our eyesight and hearing typically deteriorate. But for those with dementia, smell is one of the first senses to be affected. Touch sensitivity can also decrease, with the very worst effected finding it difficult to feel pain and the difference between hot and cold. Gardening can awaken some of these senses and restore the body by offering multisensory stimulation with touch, colours, smells and sounds of wildlife.
As a loss of appetite is common in those with dementia. Gardening provides routine exercise for various large and small muscles in the body helping increase appetite, as well as improve strength, balance and coordination.
As you’ll know, dementia affects a person's cognitive abilities, including memory. But did you also know it's common to suffer from decreased attention span too?
Giving them basic tasks to do in the garden, from planting seeds in planters to picking fruits and vegetables, it’s likely you’ll start to see and increase in their attention span. This can then be transferred to other daily tasks they may be struggling to complete.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your watering can and your glass of Ice'd tea, I’ll meet you in the garden! |
