A Qualitative Therapeutic Design Approach for Sensory Garden Design for People with Dementia

Abstract

Many gardens have been established in daily-care institutions serving people with dementia however, individuals with dementia experience disabilities to be engaged in pleasant and useful activities in their physical outdoor environments which could unexpectedly have a negative impact on their behavior and cognitive functioning. People with dementia need to be involved in activities that stimulate the senses and environments that deal with their sensory disorder challenges and provide a multisensory experience through active and passive activities. Therefore, the research addresses the interrelationship between the therapeutic goals of dementia and the design qualities of outdoor sensory spaces used by them by analyzing the behavior of people with dementia due to sensory challenges facing them in their physical environment, followed by the analysis of selected international case studies of gardens designed specifically for dementia patients. To reach successful relationships between therapeutic goals and sensory garden qualities, dementia specialists and caregivers were engaged to link these goals and qualities through interview form and three phases of analytical studies, the research formulated a design model for appropriate landscape therapeutic sensory features and elements that can be applied in gardens serving dementia patients.