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Horticulture Therapy Activities for Preschool Children, Elderly Adults, and Intergenerational Groups
Abstract
Ten different horticulture therapy (HT) activities that can be adapted for preschool children, elderly adults, and intergenerational groups are outlined here. The goals for these activities included participation, self-motivation, and fun. The children's activities were designed for freedom to explore and learn and to ensure completion of the activity. The elderly adult activities were designed for flexibility to adapt to the different ability levels of the participants. The intergenerational activities were designed for group interaction. While these activities produced variable results for the children's group, the elderly adult group, or the intergenerational group, they were all successful. Guidelines are given for increasing effectiveness and success of activities when working with these populations.
... Facilities that work with elderly populations have begun using garden sites in their landscapes and as part of their therapeutic interventions (Barnicle and Midden, 2003;Bassen and Baltazar, 1997;Rappe and Kivela, 2005). These efforts take many forms from passive enjoyment to active group activities such as growing plants or produce, which research has demonstrated to enhance emotional health and participant involvement in older adults (Browne, 1992;Kweon et al., 1998;Predney and Relf, 2004). ...
... These results correlated well with previous research conducted by horticulturists and social scientists since the 1970s that found benefits from active plant care to passive exposure to gardens (Barnicle and Midden, 2003;Bassen and Baltazar, 1997;Browne, 1992;Kweon et al., 1998;Langer and Rodin, 1976;Predney and Relf, 2004;Rappe and Kivela, 2005;Willcox and Mattson, 1979). ...
This study used quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate the impact of indoor gardening on elderly residents of a low-income assisted living facility over a 4-week period. Mastery, self-rated health, and self-rated happiness were pre-, post-, and post-post measured to evaluate whether a short-term introduction of indoor gardening that involved individual plant-care responsibility would improve these measures that are predictive of health and quality of life. Eighteen residents participated in four 2-hour interactive horticulture classes taught by a social horticulturist and a sociologist. Class members showed a significant increase in mastery, self-rated health, and self-rated happiness. The results of this study indicate that a basic horticultural activity, as simple as learning how to maintain a houseplant and taking individual responsibility for one, can have a short-term positive impact on the quality of life and on primary indicators of future health outcomes of older adults residing in assisted living facilities.
... One of the most intriguing trends in public policy is the role refugee-centered agriculture plays (Predny & Relf, 2004;Gilhooly & Lee, 2017). 2 Much of this research stems from prior work in international settings that indicates that farming in displacement holds significant economic and social benefits for those living in refugee camps; these include one study that draws on interviews with Syrian refugees participating in a camp-based gardening program in northern Iraq (Millican, Perkins & Adam-Bradford, 2019) and other studies from several camps in sub-Saharan Africa that demonstrate the value, benefits, and importance of greening innovation in reducing stress and increasing resilience (Crea, Calvo, & Loughry, 2015;Gladkikh, Gould & Coleman, 2019). Scholars building on those studies find that farming holds potential to foster resilience amongst resettled refugees and thus establishes the conditions necessary for longer-term refugee integration in third country resettlement as well (Airriess & Clawson, 1994;Baker, 2004;Jean, 2015;Gladkikh, Gould & Coleman, 2019;Strunk & Richardson, 2019). ...
This paper inventories the number, type, location, and characteristics of refugee resettlement agencies and refugee third sector organizations (RTSOs) in creating opportunities for placemaking and longer-term integration via refugee-centered farming programs in the USA. Using an ArcGIS StoryMap and accompanying database , we map how resettlement organizations engage in farming programs and provide insight into the various actors implementing refugee resettlement and integration policy in the USA, while also highlighting the role of place and placemaking in that process. Findings indicate that there are 40 total organizations involved in 30 states, with 100 farm sites scattered across 48 cities, primarily found in nontra-ditional sites of resettlement. Using Ager and Strang's (Journal of Refugee Studies , 21(2):166-191, 2008) integration model as a theoretical starting point, we use a two-cycle content analysis to illustrate that organizations have diverse goals focus-ing on employment, social connections, health, safety and security, and placemak-ing. Sponsored activities and community projects concentrate on workforce training and community-supported agriculture. This interactive visualization and analysis of existing programs nationwide allow the organizations involved, policymakers, scholars, and members of the public to explore the locations of programs with pertinent information about each organization. The research also illustrates that refugee-centered farming organizations should continue to emphasize their efforts on place-making as a beneficial strategy for the longer-term integration of resettled refugees. Additionally, this research contributes to larger debates and theoretical understand-ings of longer-term integration by extending Ager and Strang's (Journal of Refugee Studies, 21(2):166-191, 2008) integration model and embedding place and place-making as underpinning elements in the process.
... Multiple publications (e.g., [57][58][59]) were referenced during preparation of lesson plans for the intervention, which was entitled "Everlasting Greenery: Horticultural Experience." Each intervention session comprised three activities: a warm-up activity, a horticultural activity, and a group sharing activity. ...
This study investigated the effects of an 8-week horticultural activity intervention on attitudes toward aging, sense of hope, and hand–eye coordination in 88 older adults in residential care facilities. In the experimental group, the mean score for “attitudes toward aging” increased from 3.81 before the intervention to 4.74 points after the intervention (standard deviation SD = 0.24 and 0.27, respectively), and the control group dropped from 3.75 to 3.70 (standard deviations, respectively SD = 0.27 and 0.28). The mean score for “sense of hope” increased from 3.28 before the intervention to 3.81 points after the intervention (SD = 0.49 and 0.26, respectively). In contrast to the control group, the mean score gradually declined from 3.26 to 3.16 points (standard deviation SD = 0.54 and 0.48, respectively). In the test of hand–eye coordination, the time required to complete the cup stacking test significantly decreased from 33.56 to 25.38 s in the experimental group but did not significantly change in the control group. Generalized estimating equation analysis revealed a significant interaction between group and time (p < 0.001). The data trends revealed significant differences in outcomes between the experimental group and the control group. At 3 months after the end of the study, the effect size in the experimental group remained higher than that in the control group.
... Horticultural therapy, which involves the use of horticultural activities to achieve specific therapeutic or rehabilitative goals "to maximize social, cognitive, physical and/or psychological functioning and/or to enhance general health and wellness" (Haller & Kramer, 2006, p. 5), has been developed and used in clinical settings for decades. One of its special features is its ease of adaptation as a therapeutic activity to meet the needs of different people (Predny & Relf, 2004). We believe that horticultural therapy could benefit older nursing home residents who are frail or becoming frail. ...
Aim:
The aim of the study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of a group of frail and/or pre-frail older nursing home residents in relation to horticultural therapy.
Method:
A total of 22 frail/pre-frail residents were interviewed. A qualitative content analysis approach was adopted to interpret the data from four nursing homes.
Results:
Four main themes were identified: (a) "Horticultural therapy is an enjoyable activity and a good pastime in nursing home life"; (b) "Joining the programme made me happier"; (c) "Horticultural activities facilitated socialization among the residents"; and (4) "Not much mention was made of the programme by the staff outside the sessions."
Conclusion and implication for practice:
The findings provide evidence of the positive effects of horticultural therapy on perceived well-being among frail nursing home residents and expand the existing state of knowledge on the use of horticultural therapy in long-term residential care. Among others nursing implications, they are also important to develop appropriate and meaningful nursing practice to improve frail residents' perceived quality of life in the institution they now call "home."
... We also know that gardening can serve as a "bridgebuilding" activity for enhancing intergenerational cooperation in community settings [96][97][98][99][100] and that it can represent a form of legacy in older adults [101] and serve as a mechanism to engage in "successful aging" [102]. ...
Over fourteen years ago, the concept of "gray and green" was first introduced by Wright and Lund (2000) to represent a new awareness and a call for increased scholarship at the intersection of environmental issues and the aging process. This review paper revisits that concept with a fresh perspective on the specific role of gardens and gardening in the aging experience. As example, gardening is one of the most popular home-based leisure activities in the US and represents an important activity in the lives of older adults in a variety of residential settings. Yet, there has been a lack of any comprehensive and multidisciplinary (science and humanities) examination of the nexus between gardening and the aging experience, and in particular with research connections to stewardship and caring. In this paper, we review contemporary articles demonstrating the multidisciplinarity of gardening and the aging process. First, we will focus on the beneficial psychological effects resulting from the cultivation of caring, including personal contentment and artistic expression. Second, we will focus on stewardship and how gardening increases health, community awareness, and a connection to future generations. On the surface, this may demonstrate a separation between the humanities and science, but we will clarify a symbiotic relationship between the two disciplines in our conclusion.
This study sampled 86 community-dwelling older adults to investigate the effect of horticultural activities on their quality of life, perceived stress, and working memory. The results demonstrated that after 8 weeks of horticultural activities, the effect sizes (Cohen's d) of their quality of life, perceived stress, and working memory were 0.92, −1.32, and 0.62, respectively. Among the four domains of quality of life, the social relationships domain improved the most. For perceived stress, the score of the experimental group decreased from 1.70 (0.48) to 1.29 (0.58). For working memory, the score increased from 3.43 (1.13) to 4.14 (1.27), whereas the score of the control group did not change substantially. Statistical analysis conducted using a generalized estimating equation revealed a significant interaction effect between group and time (P < 0.001). This study provides a reference for improving the quality of life, perceived stress, and working memory in older people.
The Expressive Terrarium is a new intervention tool in the field of ecological arts therapy. The terrarium is a glass bowl containing plants and other objects from nature, art materials, as well as miniature and found objects. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from a sample of students and administrative staff from the same college to better understand the experiential process for future use as a clinical intervention tool. The findings showed that both groups had high positive attitudes toward the terrarium experience. The qualitative data showed that the participants experienced feelings of enjoyment and a sense of calm while engaged in building and tending their terrariums. The terrarium was perceived as enabling self-expression and as a symbolic-narrative-oriented personal space. Thus, this preliminary mixed-method study suggests that the Expressive Terrarium could be implemented in individual and group therapy or as a community-based intervention in schools and academia.
Objective:
Frail nursing home residents face multiple health challenges as a result of their frail status. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of HT on the psychosocial well-being of frail and prefrail nursing home residents.
Design:
Randomized controlled trial.
Setting:
Nursing homes.
Participants:
One hundred eleven participants were randomly allocated into the intervention [horticultural therapy (HT)] and control (social activities) conditions.
Intervention:
HT group participants attended a weekly 60-minute session for 8 consecutive weeks. Control group activities were social in nature, without any horticulture components.
Measurements:
The outcome measures include happiness, depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, well-being, social network, and social engagement. The time points of measurement were at baseline (T0), immediately postintervention (T1), and 12 weeks postintervention (T2). A modified intention-to-treat approach was adopted. A multivariate general estimating equation was used to analyze the data.
Results:
Forty-six and 50 participants received at least 1 session of the intervention and control condition protocol, respectively. A significant interaction effect between group and time was observed only on the happiness scale (β = 1.457, P = .036), but not on other outcome variables. In a follow-up cluster analysis of those who received HT, a greater effect on subjective happiness (mean difference = 6.23, P < .001) was observed for participants who were happier at baseline.
Conclusion:
HT was found to be effective in promoting subjective happiness for frail and prefrail nursing home residents. Its favorable effect suggests that HT should be used to promote the psychosocial well-being of those who are frail.
This latest edition of The Creative Arts in Counseling is a powerful, evidence-based examination of how creative expression can be used in counseling with clients of various ages and backgrounds. It explores the clinical application of all of the major creative arts, including music, dance/movement, imagery, visual arts, writing/literature, drama, play and humor, and-new to this edition-animal-assisted therapy, therapeutic horticulture, and nature/wilderness experiences. The history, rationale, and theory behind each art form are discussed, in addition to its clinical benefits and uses in counseling settings. Each chapter contains a variety of practical exercises that clinicians, instructors, and students can incorporate immediately into their work, as well as "creative reflections" for personal and professional self-evaluation. The final chapter summarizes the 126 exercises that appear throughout the text so that readers can quickly access exercises that meet their needs. Requests for digital versions from the ACA can be found on wiley.com. To request print copies, please visit the ACA website. © 2016 by the American Counseling Association. All rights reserved.
There is a serious lack of health promotion programs for seniors transitioning from living in their own homes to assisted living. Research has demonstrated that horticulture and gardening can benefit people who are institutionalized. Aging and horticulture specialists at the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension collaborated to create a healing garden project at Nevada's first low-income assisted living facility in Las Vegas. The goal was to enhance residents' quality-of life through a less traditional educational process. This process expands the scope and reach of Extension programs to a much larger and more diverse audience.
. This report examines the behavior of elderly adults and preschool children during horticultural therapy (HT) activities to determine if combining intergenerational groups would complement or detract from the HT goals for each group separately. During a 10-week observa-tion period, data were collected on video documenting attendance, participation time and pattern during separate age group and intergenerational activities. These data were used to determine if interactions changed over time or in response to different activities. Participation appeared to be affected by activity design, difficulty level, individual ability, and availability of assistance from volunteers. Children's participation during separate age group activities appeared to be affected mainly by the difficulty level and activity design. Elderly adults' participation during separate age group activities appeared to be affected by individual ability limitation and availability of assis-tance. Children's intergenerational participation scores appeared to show an increase in the category of "working with direct assistance", while elderly adults' intergenerational scores appeared to show an increase in the categories of "no participation" and "independent participa-tion". In part, the change in intergenerational participation appeared to be due to a decrease in assistance available from volunteers for each individual. For some individuals, the introduction of intergenerational groups appeared to detract from personal participation in horticulture activities. If the goal of the HT is directly related to the individual's activity in horticulture (i.e., increased self-esteem from successfully designing and building a terrarium), the intergenerational element appears to reduce the potential for that benefit. The percentage of total social interaction time between the generations during activities increased over time. The intergenerational activities involving plant-based activities seemed to be more successful at increasing intergenerational exchange than the craft-type activities. Therefore, horticulture may be a useful activity for programs with a goal of increased intergenerational interaction. T he goal of this observational research was to discover if intergenerational activities would supplement or detract from horticulture therapy (HT) goals when compared to working with elderly adults or preschool children separately. Intergenerational HT programs have been used to increase the opportunity for diverse social interactions in a horticulture program for special groups (Abbott et al., 1997; Epstein and Greenberger, 1990; Kerrigan and Stevenson, 1997). However, intergenerational HT programs have not been widely used or studied, so the impacts of such programs are unknown.
This paper presents the advantages and challenges which accompany the development of preschool child care programs within long term care facilities. In addition, the need for further empirical studies that focus on the impact and efficacy of such programs is addressed.
This paper provides a description and discussion of selected aspects of the preliminary findings of an international research project entitled ' Emergent Environmentalism'. The project as a whole uses autobiographical, qualitative analysis to investigate the acquisition of environmental subject knowledge and concern. The paper provides an overview and discussion of one sub-study of the project, which is an investigation into the acquisition of environmental subject knowledge in pre-school children. It describes the semi-structured interview format used to find out details of the children's knowledge and misconceptions of four environmental issues, provides illustrations of concept maps constructed from the data obtained, and discusses some of the implications of the findings for teachers in early years classrooms.
Preschool children interviewed in small groups identified expected characteristics of a garden as part of a needs assessment. Vegetation that varied in color, size, and times of blooming, as well as various surfaces, animals, artifacts and opportunities for play were anticipated. The children used their own experiences, literary sources, music, and television as sources of information. Collectively, children identified the primary activities needed to maintain and use a garden. The young children's expectations were used to design and construct a garden that would have strong appeal to this age group.
In this paper, the author describes in some detail the following steps in the development of an intergenerational program: needs assessment, planning, implementation, assuring longevity, and supporting a national focus. Inherent in each of these steps is an articulated reminder that thoughtful program development needs to consider, at all stages of development, opportunities for building positive self-esteem among the younger and older participants in the program.
Administrators of geriatric institutions, including activity directors, have the responsibility for selecting and providing appropriate activity programs for the residents of their institutions. Goals of these programs are generally to improve and enhance, or at least maintain. residents' morale. social interactioa cooperation, selfconfidence, and physical functioning.1,3,11. An outdoor gardening program involves a diversity of horticultural activities which make such a program appealing to a wide variety of people. Programs might involve vegetable, fruit. or flower gardening. Generally. gardens are planted in good soil where plenty of sunlight is available. One can also garden in containem and raised beds. "Spin off activities include dry flower arrangements. cut, fresh flower arranging. food preservation, herbal potpourri production, and a number of other activities. Gardening involves exercise and the exercise can be taken at one's om pace. It is not ampetitive or overly vigorous. It also provides an opportunity to enjoy the outof- dwrs environment including fresh nit, warm sunshine, and the beauty of a natural surrounding. Gardening is a lowcost activity and volunteers are often recruited from local garden clubs, 4-H groups, or similiar groups.
The authors examined changes in children's preceptions of the elderly following participation in a 9-month intergenerational project on aging. The project matched 24 fourth-grade student with 24 elderly subjects from a large senior citizens center. The project involved a number of shared activities throughout the school year. For comparative purposes, these students were matched by grade with a control group (N = 25). Using the Children's Perceptions of Aging and Elderly Inventory, the experimental group was judged to have significantly more positive attitudes toward the elderly than the control group (t = 2.79; p < .01). Results from a 1-year follow-up produced similar differences between the experimental and control groups (t = 2.12; p < .02). Qualitative statements by the experimental group also reveal a very positive attitude toward their own aging as well as toward the utility of the project.
Ongoing environmental education programs for preschoolers are scarce. Those that do exist tend to be affiliated with either early childhood education settings or environmental education settings. A study was done to locate ongoing environmental education programs for preschool children and to identify the nature and characteristics of such programs. A total of 12 programs were identified; 9 were included in this study. Two different approaches were used for data collection: site visits and a written survey. Findings suggest that ongoing early childhood environmental education (ECEE) programs, regardless of setting, tend to share many common characteristics. They also tend to serve primarily children from White, middleclass backgrounds.
By carefully planning for outdoor play, adults can help ensure that outdoor experiences are challenging and safe for young children. Creative outdoor play should encourage healthy risk taking; offer graduated challenges; include variety in types of play; focus on child-centered and child-planned activities; and include the use of moveable playground equipment. (MDM)