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Garden memories Gardening information and advice for people experiencing memory loss; their carers, friends and family Garden memories Gardening information and advice for people experiencing memory loss; their carers, friends and family Contents Introduction page 4 1 Gardening and memory loss page 5 2 Basic design points page 7 3 Safety in the garden page 9 4 Getting started in the garden page 11 5 Grading gardening activities page 13 6 Some step-by-step gardening jobs page 15 7 Garden calendar page 27 Your notes page 35 Acknowledgements page 37 page 4 Introduction Gardening is one of the most a try. We have seen how they can popular activities in the UK – an help rebuild confidence and alleviate estimated 6.5 million people in the anxieties and how shared tasks UK enjoy it, and around 80 per cent with carers, friends, and family can of the population have access to a benefit relationships. garden. At Thrive we believe that gardening fosters a strong sense Thrive is a national charity which of health and wellbeing in people helps people improve their health with a range of disabilities and have and well-being through gardening. found it can be particularly helpful to For more than 30 years, we have those experiencing memory loss and seen first-hand how gardening can other forms of dementia. transform lives. If you are close to someone who is Our research shows that nearly one experiencing memory, loss or are in three (31 per cent) of people with experiencing it yourself, you may a disability believes that gardening like to give some gardening tasks has ongoing health benefits*. *Research commissioned by Thrive from Mintel Custom Solutions, 2006. If you or someone you care for is affected by dementia, we hope this guide will encourage you to experience the continued benefits that gardening can bring. 1 Gardening and memory loss Over time, those experiencing to boost mood and can help with dementia may not be able to sleep. Choosing and talking about maintain their ability to manage plants can spark memories and everyday tasks, as their mood and conversation. understanding are affected. These changes mean help may be needed A well-designed garden can be to find new ways to do these jobs, a safe, and enjoyable place that such as breaking each task down can help give a sense of time and into stages. continuity through being in touch with the seasons. Many familiar gardening jobs can quite easily be broken down into smaller steps. Through this approach people can be encouraged to continue to achieve. If chosen well, the tasks may help improve coordination and mobility, Gardening can aid concentration and confidence; it is also a good form of exercise which in turn helps page 5 1 Gardening and memory loss 1 Gardening and memory loss page 6 Other gardening benefits People with dementia are less likely to become agitated and distressed if they have regular access to fresh air and exercise and a quiet space away from others when they need it. A garden gives fresh air, exercise and exposure to sunlight which is vital for well-being. In a garden it’s possible for everyone no matter what their ability work at their own pace, doing as much or as little as they like, while gaining a sense of achievement. 2 Basic design points There are some design points that Seating close to and away from the should be taken into account when house gives safe resting points and designing or modifying a garden for somewhere to aim for. Seating can use by those with memory loss: be a place for conversation, quiet reflection and enjoyment of the The garden should be easy to find changing seasons. from inside. For example, the view of the garden or the pathway to it Beds or containers that are at should not be blocked by furniture. comfortable heights will make gardening more enjoyable. Well designed, clear and safe patios, paths and steps are important parts of a garden. They give routes to move from one area to another, as well as making space to enjoy. Circular or figure-of-eight routes round the garden are easier to negotiate as there is no need to make decisions. page 7 2 Basic design points page 8 3 Safety in the garden Safety in the garden is of prime General safety points to consider importance, and the measures needed to keep those experiencing Safe access to the garden. memory loss secure depends on individual level of awareness. Paths, patios and steps need to be firm, level and non-glare. An enclosed garden reduces the likelihood of wandering off. Any water feature needs careful consideration. Poisonous plants should be avoided. The garden should be checked for other hazards, such as un-capped canes. page 9 3 Safety in the garden 3 Safety in the garden page 10 Safety checks for paths, patios Make sure there are no People with reduced mobility and steps obstructions on or overhanging can find narrow paths and steps the path, such as branches. difficult. A minimum width of one Paths, patios and steps provide the metre is best. access routes around the garden, so Moss, algae, or debris can make it is important that they are safe to paving slippery. Keep it clean with Avoid steps of different heights, as use. a proprietary cleaner and clear any they can cause accidents. Replace debris. with steps of the same height. Loose and uneven paths and paving can cause trips and falls. Areas of paving that become Avoid steps altogether if possible. Replace them with a firm and level slippery in wet weather should If they are needed, install a sturdy surface. be re-laid with a material with handrail. better grip. Soft paths such as grass, bark and some gravel surfaces can be hard Pale concrete and paving areas to walk on. Replace areas like this can cause glare in bright sunlight with a firmer surface. which can be uncomfortable and disorienting. Replace with darker Plants spreading are another surfaces. hazard. Cut plants right back away from path and patio edges. 4 Getting started in the garden Use safe, well-maintained, familiar Those experiencing memory loss tools. Familiarity can trigger normal usually garden best when left to work response and activity in those at their own pace and with people experiencing memory loss. Keeping who guide but do not take over. tools well maintained will also help as they will be easier to use. Some tools can be replaced with items that are more familiar and easier to use. Scissors can be used instead of secateurs for light trimming jobs. They are easier to handle and the action of the scissors is more likely to be remembered. Gardening can be small-scale, like planting a window box or some tubs, or tending houseplants or indoor bulbs. page 11 4 Getting started in the garden 4 Getting started in the garden page 12 Taking care – helpful hints It’s also possible to garden sitting Year-round activities down if tubs are at the right height. For those who have little strength, Some activities can carried out lightweight and long-handled tools Wearing comfortable clothes that all through the year, and routine can be easier and less tiring to use suit the season make gardening activities can help to give a sense of than full-sized ones. more pleasant and a simple warm-up continuity. Suggestions include: exercise, such as a short walk around the garden, before starting is helpful. clearing and tidying the garden, patio and paths Strain by lifting heavy things, or bending uncomfortably for long preparation and planning for periods should be avoided and growing and sowing looking at breaks are important to avoid magazines, seed catalogues, etc. tiredness. 5 Grading gardening activities No one should feel overwhelmed Here is a sequence of actions to help by the work. Breaking the jobs into this. smaller sections can help make tasks manageable. Where will the activity be done? How will it be carried out? What equipment is needed? What plant material is needed? What will be needed to clear up? page 13 5 Grading gardening activities 5 Grading gardening activities page 14 To help, here is an example for 3. What equipment is needed? sowing seeds: Seed trays or pots? Seedlings don’t need to be pricked out if divided 1. Where will the activity be done? trays, where each seedling has Greenhouse, shed, kitchen table, its own cell of compost, are used. garden table? Sown trays can be Use a propagator or a tray with a placed on a windowsill, or in a lid; dibber, levelling board, general conservatory or greenhouse. purpose compost, a potting tray or compost tidy tray, sieve, watering 2. How will it be carried out? can with a fine rose, labels, pencil, Depending on ability, the gardener rubber. might be able to do the whole activity or just one or more parts 4. What plant material is needed? of the job. Choosing a manageable Packets of seed task appropriate to concentration levels is important to success. 5. Clearing up A single task could be filling Clean and store tools and the tray or pots with compost. equipment. Position sown items Collecting items and clearing could where they will germinate. also be done by one person. 6 Some step-by-step gardening jobs The following examples are approaches to various common gardening jobs. Sowing seeds You will need... Seed tray and compost, seeds, watering can, label and pen 1 Overfill a seed tray with seed 2 Level the compost using a sawing 3 In a standard tray, space the seed compost.

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