Residents look after their summer tomato bed

How Therapeutic Horticulture Benefits Those with Cognitive Loss

Cognitive loss, whether due to Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other conditions, can create a profound sense of isolation and disorientation. But what if a vibrant, accessible world exists where connection, purpose, and even a spark of memory can be rekindled? This is the promise of therapeutic horticulture, a powerful practice that harnesses the inherent healing power of nature to support individuals experiencing cognitive decline.

Therapeutic horticulture isn’t only gardening together; it’s a structured, goal-oriented process led by trained professionals. It leverages the sensory richness of plants and the rhythmic, calming nature of gardening tasks to engage the mind, body, and spirit. For those with cognitive loss, this unique approach offers a wealth of benefits:

• Cognitive Stimulation: From recalling plant names to following multi-step tasks, horticultural activities gently stimulate memory, attention, decision-making and problem-solving skills. The familiar actions of planting, watering, and tending can activate long-held memories and create new neural pathways.
• Sensory Engagement: The vibrant colors of blossoms, the earthy scent of soil, the varying textures of leaves, and the taste of freshly grown vegetables, fruits, and herbs engage all five senses, providing rich, meaningful stimulation that can be incredibly soothing and evocative.
• Emotional Well-being: Nurturing living things can instill a profound sense of purpose and accomplishment, boosting self-esteem and reducing feelings of anxiety, agitation, and depression. The calming presence of nature itself has been shown to lower stress hormones and improve mood. For those in care, being able to give instead of receive care is profoundly important to a sense of self-worth.
• Physical Activity: Even simple gardening tasks, adapted to individual abilities, can improve fine and gross motor skills, coordination, balance, and strength. This gentle exercise also contributes to overall physical health. For lifelong gardeners, stimulating muscle memory reactivates neural connections when hands, knees, and backs reconnect with familiar gardening movement.
• Social Connection: Group gardening activities foster communication, teamwork, and a sense of belonging, combating isolation and promoting positive social interactions. Even brief moments of recall and connection lower blood pressure and have a calming effect that lasts long after the session.

Working together on a tabletop project

Three Therapeutic Horticulture Activities for Cognitive Loss:

Here are three accessible and beneficial activities that can be incorporated into therapeutic horticulture programs for individuals with cognitive loss:

1. Sensory Herb Garden Creation: This activity focuses on engaging multiple senses. Participants can select a variety of fragrant herbs like mint, basil, rosemary, and lavender. The process involves:
   • Touching and Smelling: Gently rubbing the leaves of different herbs to release their scents and feeling their varied textures. This can prompt memories related to cooking, meals, or past gardens.
   • Planting: Using large, easy-to-handle pots or raised beds, participants can scoop soil, nestle in young plants, and gently water them. This simple, repetitive action can be very calming and provides a sense of accomplishment.
   • Discussion: Encouraging conversation about the herbs – their uses, where they might have encountered them before, or what their favorite smells are. A snack using one or more of the herbs is always appreciated by a planting group!
2. Flower Arranging with a Theme: This activity combines creativity, fine motor skills, and memory recall.
   • Choosing Flowers: Present a selection of colorful, varied flowers (e.g., roses, carnations, daisies) and allow participants to choose their favorites. This encourages decision-making. For more advanced cognitive loss, the facilitator can encourage each participant to choose between just two options, as a large array can be overwhelming.
   • Arranging: Provide pre-cut stems and easy-to-handle vases or containers. Guide participants in arranging the flowers, focusing on simple patterns or colors. This helps with hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness. Some facilities do not allow glass containers, so prepare ahead with other approved materials if this is the case.
   • Themed Recall: Suggest a theme for the arrangement, such as “a wedding bouquet,” “flowers from a childhood garden,” or “a favorite season.” This can trigger personal memories and stories, encouraging verbal expression.
3. Seed Starting and Observing Growth: This activity offers a long-term engagement and fosters anticipation and observation skills, and works well for groups that meet daily or weekly, where they can actively participate in the care of their seeds and plants.
   • Planting Seeds: Provide larger seeds (e.g., beans, sunflowers, squash) that are easier to handle. Participants can gently press seeds into pre-moistened soil in small pots or trays. The act of planting can be very grounding.
   • Daily Care and Observation: Encourage participants to water their seeds regularly and observe any changes. Keeping a simple “growth journal” with drawings or brief observations can further engage cognitive function. This could be a group activity with a whiteboard or posterboard in the room where the seeds are kept.
   • Anticipation and Reward: The joy of seeing the first sprout emerge and watching the plant grow provides a significant sense of achievement and connection to the life cycle, even if the eventual “harvest” is just the act of nurturing. Consider taking photos each day of the seed containers, then creating a slideshow for the group showing the progression of their soil containers into seedlings and small plants!

The activity links are courtesy of THAD, the Therapeutic Horticulture Activities Database, a free resource that has hundreds of activities adaptable for groups with cognitive loss.

Therapeutic horticulture offers a gentle yet powerful pathway to improved well-being for individuals with cognitive loss. More than almost any other group, those with cognitive loss “live in the moment” and often offer us beautiful observations of the world as they experience it. By embracing the simple beauty and restorative power of nature, we can help reconnect them with themselves, their memories, and the world around them.