Filed under: Aging in place, Alzheimer Residence, Assisted Living, Baby Boomers, Community Gardens, Continue Care Retirement Communities, Gardening, Healing Gardens, Horticultural Therapy, Hospice Residence, Landscape Architecture, landscape design, Meditation Gardens, Restorative gardens, Senior Environment Assessment, Senior Living, Successful Aging, Sustainability, Sustainable design, Therapeutic Gardens
An article in today’s USA Today by Craig Wilson reminds me how important the porch is for all of us. Craig reminisces on growing up and spending time on his parents front porch. His stories remind me of spending my own childhood on the back porch of my parents home. All our summer meals took place on the porch. In fact, most all activities were moved to the porch during the summer months. There were many summer nights spent sleeping outside on the porch.
The porch is one of those iconic architectural elements that we all can relate to and have fond memories of spending time on. It works so well because it offers us protection from the elements. The porch shelters us from the hot summer sun and it is a place where we can sit outside to listen to the rain. It acts as a stage where we can entertain our friends. And it is an observation area where we can check out what is happening in the neighborhood. The porch makes us feel safe because we are close to the house and do not have to venture too far into nature.
I am reminded of how important an architectural element the porch is for all of us. A porch was included in the garden design at Medford Leas Continuing Care Retirement Community. The porch was constructed off of the recreation room and it has been an essential component of this courtyard garden. It is host is daily activities, including cookouts, holiday parties, concerts, garden classes, reading groups, etc. etc.
I am thinking about a comfortable chair, something to eat and maybe a good book to read on my porch. You can include a ceiling fan, maybe some music and a cooler filled with drinks and you may never have to leave! Who could ask for anything more! Enjoy!
Spending time on the porch
Filed under: Aging in place, Alzheimer Residence, Assisted Living, Baby Boomers, Community Gardens, Continue Care Retirement Communities, Gardening, Healing Gardens, Horticultural Therapy, Hospice Residence, Landscape Architecture, landscape design, Meditation Gardens, Organic gardens, Restorative gardens, Senior Environment Assessment, Senior Living, Successful Aging, Sustainability, Sustainable design, Therapeutic Gardens, Uncategorized
The current issue of Garden Design magazine (Jul/Aug 2010) has a great article on Healing Gardens and the work of Clare Cooper Marcus. This is a definite read for anyone who has an interest in the healing powers of gardens and why nature can play an important role in the healing process. The article chronicles the work of Ms. Cooper
A burst of sunshine in the garden
Marcus and how she has been a leader in helping to define how these spacial gardens should be designed.
Ms. Cooper Marcus talks about how healing gardens should be as much, if not more, about plants and less about creating abstract designs. The gardens should “provide a sense that you are in a garden and not a plaza or indoors.” The garden, as Clare explains in the article, should be designed to include four essential elements: exercise, social support, a sense of control and a distraction of nature. These and other important design ideas are discussed in the article.
The article may be found in the magazine starting on page 73 and additional information at the web site http://www.gardendesign.com
Filed under: Aging in place, Alzheimer Residence, Assisted Living, Baby Boomers, Community Gardens, Continue Care Retirement Communities, Gardening, Healing Gardens, Horticultural Therapy, Hospice Residence, Landscape Architecture, landscape design, Meditation Gardens, Organic gardens, Restorative gardens, Senior Environment Assessment, Senior Living, Successful Aging, Sustainability, Sustainable design, Therapeutic Gardens, Uncategorized
Walking along the nature trails
British researchers looked at ten various studies on the effects of activities performed outside in nature. Activities such as walking, cycling and gardening had positive effects on the 1,200 people surveyed. According to Jo Barton, co-author of the study, “There would be a large potential benefit if people were to self-medicate more with green exercise.” The largest positive health changes occurred when people exercised in the outdoors.
The article, “What is the Beat Dose of Nature and Green Exercise for Improving Mental Health” can be found at the link http://pubs.acs.org/stoken/presspac/presspac/full/10.1021/es903183r
Filed under: Aging in place, Alzheimer Residence, Assisted Living, Baby Boomers, Community Gardens, Continue Care Retirement Communities, Gardening, Healing Gardens, Horticultural Therapy, Hospice Residence, Landscape Architecture, landscape design, Restorative gardens, Senior Living, Successful Aging, Sustainability, Therapeutic Gardens
There is a great article on horticultural therapy by Anne Marie Chaker in today’s Wall Street Journal. The article, “When Treatment Involves Dirty Fingernails”, describes several hospital based programs around the country and offers information from Roger Ulrich, Ph.D.
As the article indicates – “The path to better health may wind through the garden.” The article can be found at – http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304620304575165831058222608.html?mod=djemLifeStyle_h
Filed under: Aging in place, Assisted Living, Baby Boomers, Community Gardens, Continue Care Retirement Communities, Gardening, Healing Gardens, Horticultural Therapy, Hospice Residence, Landscape Architecture, landscape design, Meditation Gardens, Organic gardens, Restorative gardens, Senior Environment Assessment, Senior Living, Successful Aging, Sustainability, Sustainable design, Therapeutic Gardens
Spring is upon us and we are itching to get back into the garden. The winter months, especially after the many storms we have experienced, have left us much to do. One of our chores is to assess the condition of our trees. The snow has caused some branches to split and/or fall. There may also be dead branches that should be removed. Or, we may want to open up the garden for some additional sunlight.
Unless you want to maintain a formal garden setting, most trees look better when they are left in a natural form. The best time to assess the ‘structure’ of the tree is when it is dormant. It is easier to clearly see what branches may need to be pruned when there are no leaves on the tree. To keep the natural form and appearance of a tree, do not try to shape it into a complete sphere or ball. That is not what nature intended.
One critical aspect of tree care is to never cut the central leader of the tree. Most all trees have a central spine that is essential to the structure of the tree. Again, this should never be cut. This will impair the life and healthy growth of the tree. It is better to determine the ultimate height of a specific tree before it is planted, rather than trying to control the height of a tree after it has been installed. A little research will save time and the creation of disfigured tree.
A few general rules to consider when tending to the care of a tree include the following conditions. Remove dead twigs and branches to prevent further problems from spreading. Remove any new shoots that emerge from the area around the trunk of the tree. Remove any branches that are crossing which may cause a wound from the friction of the branches when they move in the wind. A light pruning is recommended after the leaves of the trees appear. A ‘hard’ or more severe pruning is best to do when the tree is dormant (winter months).
Trees are the backbone any garden and landscape. We need to nurture and respect these special plants. They live a long time, sometimes hundreds of years, and our care can help to make sure that they live even longer.
Filed under: Aging in place, Alzheimer Residence, Assisted Living, Baby Boomers, Community Gardens, Continue Care Retirement Communities, Gardening, Healing Gardens, Horticultural Therapy, Hospice Residence, Landscape Architecture, landscape design, Meditation Gardens, Organic gardens, Restorative gardens, Senior Environment Assessment, Senior Living, Successful Aging, Sustainability, Sustainable design, Therapeutic Gardens
The Mid-Atlantic Horticultural Therapy Network of the American Horticultural Therapy Association was an exhibitor at the 2010 Philadelphia Flower Show for the first time. The Show is the largest indoor flower show in the world with attendance of over 250,000 people. The horticultural therapy exhibit presented many of the ways in which HT is presented to the various populations served. There were raised planters, adaptive tools, sensory plants and many other aspects of the profession for people to experience.
Comments offered by many of the people stopping by the exhibit were extremely encouraging. People talked about how they were positively affected by their involvement with horticultural therapy while they were in hospital and other instances. They talked about how it had positively impacted family members in a variety of settings. The exhibit even received several awards for display and presentation.
Horticultural therapy exhibt at the Philadelphia Flower Show
You can read more about horticultural therapy exhibit and the Flower Show at:
Filed under: Aging in place, Alzheimer Residence, Assisted Living, Baby Boomers, Community Gardens, Continue Care Retirement Communities, Gardening, Healing Gardens, Horticultural Therapy, Hospice Residence, Landscape Architecture, landscape design, Meditation Gardens, Organic gardens, Restorative gardens, Senior Environment Assessment, Senior Living, Successful Aging, Sustainability, Sustainable design, Therapeutic Gardens
Good news! We made it through the shortest day of the year, yesterday, December 21st. This day marks the midpoint of the year, which occurred at 5:47 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time (12:47 Eastern Standard Time). The Winter Solstice has the least amount of sunlight and the longest night during the year. In all actuality, the sun’s rise will continue to occur later through the month of January, while sunsets will occur later in the evening. This all seems to balance out as the amount of day light each day begins to lengthen.
This demarcation of the middle of winter was very important for our ancestors who had to meter out their food to survive the long winters. Feasts and celebrations were held during this time as a way of marking the event. Religious holidays occur at this time of year. This time of year is also symbolic as the start of a new year and the hopes for good things to come.
Midwinter also affects us individually. The shorter days mean that our bodies produce more melatonin, which offsets our circadian rhythms. We want to sleep longer during these winter months. Exposure to sunlight is one of the best and most effective ways to help balance our circadian rhythms. Taking a walk during the day may be one of the best way to help balance our bodies natural cycles. So, make a resolution to walk more. Find a friend
Visiting Greenwich, England
to walk with. The companionship and socialization will help spur you on. Walking is the easiest and least costly form of exercise that we can do, at any age. Dr. Weil has information on what to consider when setting out for a walk. Visit the “Ask Dr. Weil” Tip of the Day at the website:
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/TIP03545/Healthy-Habits-Walking.html
Enjoy!
Filed under: Aging in place, Alzheimer Residence, Assisted Living, Baby Boomers, Community Gardens, Continue Care Retirement Communities, Gardening, Healing Gardens, Horticultural Therapy, Hospice Residence, Landscape Architecture, landscape design, Meditation Gardens, Restorative gardens, Senior Environment Assessment, Senior Living, Successful Aging, Sustainability, Therapeutic Gardens, Uncategorized
We know that our interactions with nature can lead to positive results. And public gardens are often discussed as being healing spaces. This thinking has been validated in a recent research study at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach, FL. Dr. Ruth G. McCaffrey at the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University conducted the research project “The Effect of Public Garden Visitation on Mild Depression in the Elderly.”
The results of the study led to the development of a booklet and program called “A Stroll for Well-Being: Garden Walks at the Morikami”. The booklet contains 12 themed guided imagery walks as well as blank pages for journaling. The booklet, in combination with the involvement of a trained therapist, can elevate the use of the healing garden to a higher level. Gardens in senior retirement communities, as well as public gardens, can make great use of this activity.
The link to the study is at:
Spring at the Chicago Botanic Garden
http://www.morikami.org/index.php?submenu=gardens_IMLS&src=gendocs&ref=IMLS&category=Gardens
Filed under: Aging in place, Alzheimer Residence, Assisted Living, Baby Boomers, Community Gardens, Continue Care Retirement Communities, Gardening, Healing Gardens, Horticultural Therapy, Hospice Residence, Landscape Architecture, landscape design, Meditation Gardens, Organic gardens, Restorative gardens, Senior Environment Assessment, Senior Living, Successful Aging, Sustainability, Sustainable design, Therapeutic Gardens, Uncategorized
The number one element that people request when designing a garden is water. This is just as important to most people than the specific plants that are selected or the paving materials to be used for a patio or walkway. Typically water is important because of the sound or white noise that is present in the back ground. The presence of water can come in the form of a fountain, pond, bird bath or other feature.
During a lecture yesterday at the NJ American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, a question was raised about the importance of including a water feature in a garden. I was giving a talk on ‘Creating Affordable Therapeutic Gardens’ and one of the attendees wanted to know if a water feature should be considered within the garden. My answer was a resounding yes! A water feature is an attraction and will encourage a person to visit the outdoor garden space. The attached picture is from a recently completed courtyard and the water fountain is the number one attraction in the garden, so far.
People like to sit by the water because it typically provides a soothing sound. This is an important consideration when selecting the kind of water feature to use. The water should provide a soft gentle sound and not sounds that are disruptive.
Sitting by the fountain in the courtyard garden at St. John Neumann Nursing Home
A good example might be the sound of water as it falls upon the roof during a rainfall. This is a ‘natural’ sound and one that we are all familiar hearing. Or the sound could replicate a bubbling brook as the water cascades over the stones.
What is interesting is that there is little research on what specific sounds are pleasant and what sounds are distracting. I would like to find a fountain manufacturer who would be interested in participating in a research study. I have talked with environmental psychologists who are interested in conducting the study. This would go a long way in moving beyond the anecdotal findings that we have to date.
Filed under: Alzheimer Residence, Assisted Living, Baby Boomers, Continue Care Retirement Communities, Gardening, Healing Gardens, Horticultural Therapy, Hospice Residence, Landscape Architecture, landscape design, Meditation Gardens, Restorative gardens, Senior Living, Successful Aging, Sustainability, Therapeutic Gardens, Uncategorized
“Integrated Medicine looks at the body as a garden”, according to Birgit Rakel, MD, who was a keynote speaker at the Healing Gardens Conference held at Medford Leas CCRC, Medford, NJ on April, 23, 2009. Dr. Rakel is a board certified in family medicine and is a faculty member of the Jefferson Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. In her talk “Nature and the Prescription for Wellness”, Dr. Rakel shared her insights into the challenges that face an aging population and provided ideas for incorporating the benefits of nature into therapeutic programs and senior living communities. Her treatment strategies combine state-of-the-art conventional medicine with herbal and nutritional supplementation.
A large part of Dr. Rakel’s practice has been to focus on the needs of older adults. “Complimentary and Alternative Medicine for Older Adults” is the recent publication that she and Elizabeth R. Mackenzie, Ph.D. have edited as a guide to holistic approaches to healthy aging. The book is a helpful guide to issues addressing a variety of treatments, including art and music, massage, acupuncture, meditation, homeopathy, ayurveda, aromatherapy and therapeutic gardens. The information provides reliable and authoritative information on complimentary and alternative therapies that older adults can use to improve their health and quality of life.
Dementia Garden
Additional information on the publication can be found at: http://www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=38055
