ISHS Acta Horticulturae 639: XXVI International Horticultural Congress: Expanding Roles for Horticulture in Improving Human Well-Being and Life Quality
EFFECT OF HORTICULTURAL THERAPY ON THE COMMUNITY CONSCIOUSNESS AND LIFE SATISFACTION OF ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS |
| Authors: | H.-Y. Kim, M.-K. Cho, I.-J. Han, J.-S. Kim |
| Keywords: | horticultural activity evaluation, quality of life, group home, people/plant interactions, older adults |
| Abstract:
This study was conducted to clarify the effect of horticultural therapy on the community consciousness and life satisfaction of elderly individuals with a history of living alone who are currently living in a facility for the elderly. The horticultural therapy (HT) program was implemented once a week for a total of 23 sessions from Apr. 14 through Sep. 27, 2001. The participants included 8 elderly individuals who lived in a group home which belongs to a Buddhist social welfare association located in Daegu, Korea. According to the results, HT was found to be effective in increasing the community consciousness and life satisfaction of these elderly individuals. After HT, the scores of community consciousness, life satisfaction, and horticultural activity evaluation were increased as compared to the levels found before HT. All items rated by the horticultural activity evaluation have been improved generally by HT, especially the scores for participation, interest and assistance, self-concept and identity, need-drive adaptation, cognition, and problem-solving. The participants showed various reactions to the plant materials used. They preferred fragrant materials such as lily and chrysanthemum, and flower colors of orange and violet. When these were used in HT, the elderly individual’s concentration during an activity and satisfaction after an activity improved. With these results, it is considered that the HT is effective in increasing the community consciousness, life satisfaction, and general activity level of the elderly in this situation, and it is important to develop more effective HT programs which are suitable for this group of individuals. | |
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