Articles
Therapeutic gardens for Alzheimer: the Italian case study NoViFra garden
Article number
1459_14
Pages
133 – 144
Language
English
Abstract
The article intends to describe the research and experimentation cycle of the “NOviFra” project dedicated to the experimentation of non-pharmacological therapies for people suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia, proposed in 2017 to the Tuscany Region, which obtained funding within the “Project Calls for research and development of MSMEs” – POR FESR 2014-2020, of which the Giardineria Italiana company, of the MATI 1909 group, participated in the design of the outdoor space.
Thanks to the know-how and research in the therapeutic gardens sector in the scientific and healthcare fields accumulated by the president, Andrea Mati, a therapeutic garden was designed and created in which patients can carry out recreational and therapeutic activities within a natural environment.
The project was carried out at the Alzheimer nucleus of the Health Care residence Casa Argia in Figline Valdarno (Florence) where the experimentation on patients was carried out.
The companies Generali Arredamenti, Next Technology and HiHo srl also participated in the project.
A monitoring and orientation system based on technological devices was developed which provided medical and paramedical staff with indications on how patients interact with the elements of the garden and indicators useful for measuring their state of well-being and evaluating effectiveness of therapies (Neuropsychiatric Inventory NPI, QUALID instruments, Cohen-Mansfield agitation scale, Cornell scale) on a sample of 8 patients with an average age of 85 years.
The experimentation demonstrated the effectiveness of using the garden for reducing depression, anxiety and aggressive behavior typical of Alzheimer’s patients, allowing them to improve their mobility, self-esteem, sleep and the consequent reduction in pharmacological treatments, improving the health of patients and caregivers.
Highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the project allows us to outline the guidelines for the correct design of a therapeutic garden for Alzheimer’s disease.
Thanks to the know-how and research in the therapeutic gardens sector in the scientific and healthcare fields accumulated by the president, Andrea Mati, a therapeutic garden was designed and created in which patients can carry out recreational and therapeutic activities within a natural environment.
The project was carried out at the Alzheimer nucleus of the Health Care residence Casa Argia in Figline Valdarno (Florence) where the experimentation on patients was carried out.
The companies Generali Arredamenti, Next Technology and HiHo srl also participated in the project.
A monitoring and orientation system based on technological devices was developed which provided medical and paramedical staff with indications on how patients interact with the elements of the garden and indicators useful for measuring their state of well-being and evaluating effectiveness of therapies (Neuropsychiatric Inventory NPI, QUALID instruments, Cohen-Mansfield agitation scale, Cornell scale) on a sample of 8 patients with an average age of 85 years.
The experimentation demonstrated the effectiveness of using the garden for reducing depression, anxiety and aggressive behavior typical of Alzheimer’s patients, allowing them to improve their mobility, self-esteem, sleep and the consequent reduction in pharmacological treatments, improving the health of patients and caregivers.
Highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the project allows us to outline the guidelines for the correct design of a therapeutic garden for Alzheimer’s disease.
Publication
Authors
A.M.N. Mati, C. Mondani
Keywords
therapeutic landscape, garden, dementia, Alzheimer, healing gardens
Online Articles (16)