No one has to wait for the next Valentine’s Day to see how fresh flowers affect the mind and soul. Be it a rose, a cherry tree or a common dandelion – plants stimulate the senses through colours and smells. And their influence should not be underestimated.
However, colourful gardens offer more than just living space for plants and animals. As multitaskers, they offer places of retreat and space to meet each other. They also keep us moving and the processes of nature entertain their admirers. What challenges nursing homes is to design outdoor facilities in such a way that they are coordinated and adapted to the residents.
A garden stimulates
One example of creative development of outdoor facilities is the sensory garden at the St. Gerhardus Senior Citizens‘ Centre.
As the name suggests, the aim is to stimulate the senses. „Our guiding principle is to provide a place for residents and a place of passage for residents,“ explains Kerstin Struwe, head of social services at the facility. The outdoor area is accessible at all times, for residents and caregivers. In this way, the natural living space has a qualitative effect on everyday life.
Kerstin Struwe, head of social services
But what exactly should a garden for senior citizens have to offer?
Safety and accessibility
When it comes to creating a place for seniors, an important aspect is to make the paths easily accessible and barrier-free. Only then can everyone benefit from the facility. When building the circular path, St. Gerhardus made sure to install stations where visitors can rest. The path is guided in such a way that wheelchairs can also travel. If a nursing home is close to road traffic, it makes sense to plant a hedge around the garden. This reduces the noise level and creates a sheltered setting.
Being a meeting place
„We are concerned with making the garden open,“ says the centre’s director and pastoral care officer. The park, which surrounds the entire senior centre, is used by young and old. In an organic way, it allows different generations to meet and exchange ideas. Especially appealing to young people and children on hot days are a large pond, beach chairs and benches. In addition, a bird aviary, a diverse tree population and sports equipment are part of the facility. The various offers provide input for everyone.
Motivating people to help shape the park
The St. Gerhardus park used to be a monastery garden. Today, fruit and vegetables can be found in the raised beds of the garden, such as lettuce in spring. A cold frame is being created in one corner. Whether it is sowing, planting, harvesting or later processing – senior citizens are happy to lend a hand and help diligently. „They are particularly well motivated when their individual skills are in demand,“ emphasises Struwe. The centre has integrated activities into the residents‘ daily lives to achieve this goal. For example, retirees who are good at handicrafts can make an insect hotel. Those who prefer to dig up the earth and pull weeds can work on the raised bed. Such activities are fun and beautify the garden. The green space is also based on community: The facility encourages not only residents but also relatives, neighbours and other nature lovers to participate.
Strengthening mobility
Basically, an extended outdoor area encourages people to spend more time outdoors in their daily lives. In addition to (circular) paths, exercise stations and sports equipment can encourage seniors to move more. The park’s offerings include leg exercisers placed in front of benches, as well as installations that strengthen arm and back muscles. „The devices are used gladly and a lot,“ says Struwe. The vitality of the residents is important and should be supported especially outside.
Here we have summarised the most important things for you:
- Outdoor facilities for seniors must always be barrier-free and safe.
- A good garden design should have an attractive offer that residents and neighbours like to use. This allows the generations to get to know each other and exchange ideas.
- Seniors should be able to have a say in the construction of the garden and, above all, to help design it. After all, it is primarily designed for the residents.
- The mobility of seniors is important. Gymnastic equipment and paths invite them to move around more.
Struwe explains that the garden facility in the pandemic is a real gift: „At the beginning of Corona, in spring 2020, we were grateful and happy about our facility. With individual residents and under restrictions, we can use it. This ensures that the seniors stay active.“
The head of social services enjoys the view from her window (her office is on the third floor). She says that even in bad weather, many seniors go outside and use the outdoor area. Because fresh air is always good for you.
