4 considerations: gardens for the elderly
Make it familiar
In his work on why habits stick, Charles Duhigg discusses how music listeners switch on and off radio stations depending upon the music they expect to hear. He found that “sandwiching’ a new song in with familiar and comfortable songs ultimately lead to acceptance and enjoyment.
Consider providing personalised spaces with a strong sense of place (to assist those with memory loss and generate memory triggers). The scent of favourite or nostalgic plants, for example, may evoke memories by engaging one’s sense of smell. Fragrance can be immediate through the perfume of flowers or released through rubbing/crushing of leaves. The noise of water running or the rustle of leaves can also evoke memory.
Culturally significant native or familiar plants would be worth consideration here.
2. Provide a sense of security
Restorative urbanism places safety and perceptions of safety as a really strong indicator of a restorative environment. Asking questions about whether the user can navigate through the space safely (wide, flat paths, no threshold doorways) and, importantly, whether they can also navigate their way back. Incorporating clear cues as to where to enter and exit and how to get back ‘home’ safely can assist in the person feeling comfortable enough to explore the outdoor area.
3. Contrast and Interest
Considering mobility issues which often come with age, routine and ‘same-old’ situations, can negatively impact a person’s sense of well-being.
In her work on Wellbeing landscapes, DR. Gayle Souter-Brown writes that providing a sensory, considered and “natural” environment assists a person to feel a sense of release from their usual everyday surroundings and consequently, cognitive benefits are enjoyed. Something new to discover or experience, even in the smallest way, can impact elevating a person’s thoughts. Consider the texture and contrast of colour form and shape, the feel of foliage smells and scents, and the height and depth of forms. Evoking as many sense and sensory experiences as possible.
4. Consider your colour choices
In colour theory, green (which also happens to be the predominant colour in nature), which sits in the middle of the colour spectrum, is said to be calming, decrease negative emotions and promote creative thought.
In studies related to mental acuity and health benefit to those with Alzheimer’s and Dementia in healthcare settings, for example, Japanese gardens (Zen gardens, which are generally textural but predominantly “green”) have been described as being preferred and showing better physiological benefits than less saturated, herb type gardens.
Alongside green, purple, a cool colour, promotes contemplation, balance and restful states.
Considering the above factors of familiarity, safety, interest and creative thought producing, you’re well on the way to a space that respects and engages users with specific needs.
If you would like to do some more reading on the topic, I can recommend the following:
The power of habit: why we do what we do and how to change. Charles Duhigg
Landscape and Urban Design for Health and Well-Being. DR Gayle Souter-Brown
A reminiscence programme intervention to improve the quality of life of long-term care residents with Alzheimer’s disease: A randomized controlled trial. Serrani Azcurra, D. J. (2012)
