Jenny Tricia

Jenny Tricia graduated from College of Management of Universitas Internasional Batam, Indonesia and right now continuing my master degree at Tunghai University for the first year. She is working thesis in healing environment called as a part Therapeutic Gardens. At the end of the last year, she found there were a number of countries that experienced a decline in population growth which caused a greater population of elderly, one of which countries is Taiwan. In recent years, health aging is an important issue globally and non pharmacological therapies have been used to help individuals of functional abilities and independence of the individuals.

Various researchers have developed different sets of design principle and assessment tools through some related categories are sensory, cognitive and a physical. According to The Alzheimer’s Society, exercising in the garden helps develop the appetite, boosts energy levels and promotes a better night’s sleep. Some findings dementia patients who spend time gardening have benefitted from direct sunlight (increasing bone density, improving sleep cycles and moods), lower levels of agitation and aggression, decreased isolation and aggression, improved social interactions, playing the role of caregiver for garden plants and wildlife, increased physical activity as well as decreased falls and injuries, increased attention spans, increased brain volume and gray matter, a less ‘institutional’ environment to share with visitors, better understanding of and interest in patients as individuals also enjoyment at seeing patients have fun.

In order for a garden therapy initiative to be successful, it must be adapted to a population who is living with dementia are Therapeutic gardens should contain familiar elements that are typical of the region and from previous stages of their lifetime, ensure that the garden is accessible, and structured to reduce disorientation, include safety features to reduce falls (pathways and railings), a variety of plants to promote visual, use trees to provide shade and ensure protected seating areas so that people living with dementia can rest and socialize at will.