Sensory Gardens for care homes
Effective sensory garden design is a valuable tool in the early intervention and management of a range of mental and physical health conditions. Appropriately designed community gardens, and shared communal gardens offer a haven for the elderly. Whether able -bodied or infirm, stroke rehab patients, or individuals with dementia, care home residents and visiting relatives respond well to the calming influence of nature.
Interior and landscape design for people suffering stress or a variety of medical conditions requires the same attention to sustainability as design for non-affected people.
"There is evidence to suggest that as mental capacity changes in people with dementia, some patients will function more on a sensory level rather than an intellectual level. People need the opportunity to hear and experience sounds and smells of a garden through plants, water features, birds and the activities of people using or working in the garden space. Patients who are chair bound could be transferred by wheelchair to experience the garden, and patients who are nursed in bed where open windows can give access to the sights and smells of the garden can also enjoy it." -Social Care Institute
Accessibility and inclusion are at the heart of sensory garden design for the elderly. Making the rich experiences of the natural world available to sight impaired, hearing impaired, cognitively impaired or mobility impaired people is important to us at Greenstone Design.
Key features of our sensory garden designs are:
"When developing a design brief for a residential care home garden or wellness garden, it is important that the sensory gardens are a useful space that is an extension of what can be done within the home or facility and offer people places to go outside that are safe and engaging.”
As specialist sensory garden designers, Greenstone Design UK works with a team of professional landscapers, in response to the needs of the residents, school, hospital or community.
“From a programmatic standpoint, it needs to be a beautiful space that relieves tension and provides the restorative properties of nature. We also want a place that would work well for staff, uplifting them and enhancing their programme.” Ryman Carehomes
Rainwater harvesting and bio-diverse planting to attract wildlife brings a sustainable sensory garden within reach of most care homes. To fully engage our senses we need to reconnect with nature.
Gardens for elderly and sensory impaired users include overhead shade pergolas, large planters with ornamental trees, and raised beds for vegetables and herbs to keep the interest of wheelchair users and walkers alike. A working garden of raised beds and containers, and an area with planters and outdoor furniture for group activities would complete the space.
Interior and landscape design for people suffering stress or a variety of medical conditions requires the same attention to sustainability as design for non-affected people.
"There is evidence to suggest that as mental capacity changes in people with dementia, some patients will function more on a sensory level rather than an intellectual level. People need the opportunity to hear and experience sounds and smells of a garden through plants, water features, birds and the activities of people using or working in the garden space. Patients who are chair bound could be transferred by wheelchair to experience the garden, and patients who are nursed in bed where open windows can give access to the sights and smells of the garden can also enjoy it." -Social Care Institute
Accessibility and inclusion are at the heart of sensory garden design for the elderly. Making the rich experiences of the natural world available to sight impaired, hearing impaired, cognitively impaired or mobility impaired people is important to us at Greenstone Design.
Key features of our sensory garden designs are:
- Raised planters to bring scent and colour to eye height for mobility scooters and wheelchair users.
- Water as the essential for all life
- Non toxic edible planting make a sensory garden safe for all.
- Textured walkways, planted tunnels and interactive sound and water features
- Light and shade for those with impaired vision
- Sound to delight
- Wildlife to really bring the sensory garden design to life.
"When developing a design brief for a residential care home garden or wellness garden, it is important that the sensory gardens are a useful space that is an extension of what can be done within the home or facility and offer people places to go outside that are safe and engaging.”
As specialist sensory garden designers, Greenstone Design UK works with a team of professional landscapers, in response to the needs of the residents, school, hospital or community.
“From a programmatic standpoint, it needs to be a beautiful space that relieves tension and provides the restorative properties of nature. We also want a place that would work well for staff, uplifting them and enhancing their programme.” Ryman Carehomes
Rainwater harvesting and bio-diverse planting to attract wildlife brings a sustainable sensory garden within reach of most care homes. To fully engage our senses we need to reconnect with nature.
Gardens for elderly and sensory impaired users include overhead shade pergolas, large planters with ornamental trees, and raised beds for vegetables and herbs to keep the interest of wheelchair users and walkers alike. A working garden of raised beds and containers, and an area with planters and outdoor furniture for group activities would complete the space.
