Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

Impact Of Garden Spaces On Dementia Residents: Translating Evidence-Based Research Into Clinical Practice, Angela Ko, Jenna Williams

School of Occupational Therapy Master's Capstone Projects (2016-2021)

The research addressed the following focused question: “Do garden spaces decrease the incidence of behaviors such as combativeness and agitation, psychiatric medication use, depression, falls, cognitive decline, and sleep disturbance in clients with dementia in a residential facility?” The research team collaborated with staff at a skilled nursing facility in an urban area of the Pacific Northwest. Appraisal of existing research revealed multiple potential benefits of residents’ with dementia utilizing garden spaces for wandering and/or therapeutic activities. Based on these findings, the research team recommended implementation of an on-site garden. To support the implementation of these findings, the research team …