EVALUATING THE EFFECTS OF A HORTICULTURE PROGRAM ON THE PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF OLDER PERSONS IN A LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY

Authors:	K.S. Midden, T. Barnicle
Keywords:	horticultural therapy, horticultural activities, quality of life, rehabilitation, therapeutic tool
Abstract: This study investigated the effects of indoor horticultural activities on the psychological well-being of older person in two long-term care facilities over a seven-week period. Thirty-one participants at one facility served as the control group. Thirty-one participants at another facility served as the gardening group. Participants in both facilities continued with their normal daily routine and activities over the seven-week period. However, the gardening group participated in a one-hour indoor gardening activity session once a week over the seven-week period and the control group did not. The control group and gardening group did not differ significantly in psychological well-being prior to the start of the study. After the seven-week program, the gardening group had a significant increase in psychological well-being, whereas the control group had a slight decrease in psychological well-being. The results of this study indicate that horticultural activities may have a beneficial effect on the current psychological well-being of older persons in a long-term care facility.
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