Introduction

Ward ‘Boterbloem’ (Buttercup) is a psycho-geriatric ward of nursing home ‘De Stelle’ (the Safe Ground), with at most 36 habitants. Most of the habitants suffer a type of dementia.

‘Boterbloem’ can offer a lot to those suffering this disease as inner area, as living environment.
The ward is divided in three so called units, with 10 to 12 habitants each
The entire ward is decorated in such a way, it offers dementias living environment, as safe and secure as possible.
There is a lot of green, the element water is present, there is attention for light with relation to day-night rhythm of habitants, etc.
There are activities offered on regular base both within the ward and within the nursing home, such as singing, the men’s club, the cooking group, etc.
All these activities have a short-term effect because the short-term memory of dementias is limited or has disappeared.

The Alzheimer garden

There are habitants, who are used to be outside for a long time, to work in the garden, to who it might have a positive effect to walk their daily round through the garden, who are aware of the changes of the seasons, who react with memories on different odours from the herbal garden.
Habitants who have the need to be alone for a while and to go outside without company, who are sometimes aware (by waves) of their restrictions of their environment and of themselves.
The offers of activities, offered by ‘De Stelle’, are not sufficient for this group of habitants, what might cause problems with behaviour because of fear, the feeling of being imprisoned and being not understood.
Research has proven that ill peoples recover quicker when they can see trees and the sky. By watching nature, stress, pain and fear decrease.
The Alzheimer garden is an outer area for dementias, where they can be with optimum freedom and safety, whereby the garden can support therapeutically.
Those, once gardening themselves, seem to still know well how to do it. The garden must invite to those activities, who give habitants a good feeling.

Nowadays care taking and accompanying

The care taking is based on three notions, Warm Care, ‘Snoezelen’ (), Passivities of Daily Life.

These are all fully integrated.
Alzheimer gardens are outer areas for people suffering dementia
Behaviour problems can be prevented by changing the environment into one that suits the habitant, into the way on which someone sees an area, colours and shapes.
Dementias get lost a lot. They have the leaning to put various things in their mouth, they are often frightened because of the decreased interpretation of their perceptions and they get confused by many choices.
In the Alzheimer garden dangerous materials and physical obstacles are removed, therefore habitants can move freely but safe in the garden.
The garden has to be open, but also well bound, with a big variety in planting.
Catchy colours and good-smelling flowers make walking attractive and besides may the smells call on highly emotional memories.
It is important to stay in touch with the changes of the seasons in nature.
When the cognitive decreases, one might have profit from a stimulating environment yet not to over demanding or limiting.

History of the Alzheimer gardens

Since 1994, there is a co-operation in Milan between Mrs. P. Valla, a female architect, and Professor F.M. Antonini, a gyrator.
A publication, being the theoretical base of the Alzheimer gardens, came forth from this co-operation.
In Italy was a huge arrear in care for dementias, there was no program of activities.
It was necessary to get these people outside, to give them both maximum freedom and maximum control (safety).
In Italy the culture of being outside is very strong and many institutions have huge unused non-residential spaces.
Giving this, the idea of a therapeutic outer area arose: the Alzheimer garden.

Essential conditions and provisions for Alzheimer gardens

Forcing fences must be avoided

Direct visual control must be possible

A solid track for walking (such as asphalt) must be created, intervened by different types of places to rest

Harmless and not-toxic aromatic plantation

Preference for small season-bound plantation

Preference for florescence’s with catching colours

Regular division of aromatic plantation along the track

Arranged areas for gardening

Potted plants at wheelchair-level should be attended in order that disabled persons are also able to smell, to feel and to garden