By Richard Dagenais, SAPA Communications Specialist
A nondescript little metal cart is managing to reach across the depths of dementia to connect with residents of the Donald Berman Jewish Eldercare long-term care centre.
The mobile garden idea got off the ground when Patricia Ndanjoe, Nurse Manager on the third floor of the Kastner Pavilion, was determined to add some nature to the unit. She felt that hanging or placing plants around the area—even the artificial kind—could lead to destructive or even dangerous behaviour by residents, all of whom have advanced dementia.
So Ms. Ndanjoe and her team came up with a garden on wheels as a workable solution.
The project was launched in June with the help of Orderlies Olivia Jordan, Susana Caperina Verzosa and Meetrambada Gajadhar, whom Ms. Ndanjoe refers to as her mobile garden “champions.”
“I’m just happy that some of the staff are interested in the project,” says Ms. Ndanjoe. “They want to run it and share it with the residents.”
“I’m hoping it makes residents feel good and triggers some positive memories, while providing them with important multi-sensory stimulation.”
Patricia Ndanjoe
The cart is filled with colourful potted plants, herbs and flowers that residents can see, touch and smell. They can also hear the wind chimes that are attached to the cart, which is equipped with easy-grip watering cans and spray bottles.
Ms. Ndanjoe and her team hope that the mobile garden can calm residents and distract them from intrusive wandering—such as entering other peoples’ rooms or staff work areas—or being aggressive toward others. Ultimately, they hope it could even reduce the use of anti-psychotic drugs.
“Residents who’ve always loved plants and are having a good day will be calmer around the garden,” Ms. Ndanjoe says. “After we give them the watering can and show them how to water the plants, they will imitate us and do it themselves.”
“If your mom or dad or loved one was interested in gardening in their earlier life, seeing a familiar plant may trigger a good memory that makes their day,” adds Ms. Ndanjoe. “That brief memory will help them feel good, decrease agitation and put them at peace.”
Ms. Ndanjoe keeps several potted plants in her office and rotates those on the cart. She and her team are open to suggestions about plant varieties and they encourage donations from families.
“We don’t want just generic plants, we want special plants that have meaning for the residents,” Ms. Ndanjoe explains. “If family members can provide us with a plant, or flower, that they used to keep in their garden, or house, or always gave to their spouse, we will add it to the cart in the hope it that it helps them revive some good memories.”
“Even though their dementia is very advanced, sometimes there’s a little spark, a little memory triggered by a touch, or smell, and for just a split-second, they’ll get a glimpse of that memory and you’ll see a flash of recognition.”
Olivia Jordan
It’s too early to say whether the garden therapy is reducing intrusive wandering or aggressive behaviour, but Ms. Ndanjoe says staff members are keeping track through reports and observations. In time, they may have their own quantitative evidence.
American sociobiologist Edward O. Wilson theorized in his Biophilia hypothesis that the innate affinity humans have for nature has evolutionary roots, and that the connection with nature is not only a fundamental part of human psychology, it is essential for human well-being.
Countries such as Norway have incorporated gardening into treatment as part of a national dementia care plan.
For now, staff say, there is no doubt the mobile garden at Jewish Eldercare is reducing agitation, enhancing engagement and encouraging reminiscence in residents with advanced dementia.
Even if nature’s plants provide only the most fleeting illumination in a world too often darkened, that’s ample reason to be thankful.