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INFLUENCE OF GARDENING AND GREENENVIRONMENT ON THE SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEINGOF THE ELDERLY: A STUDY WHICH FOCUSES ON THE THERAPEUTIC ASPECTS OF HORTICULTURE.
BySreejith A. and S. Binukumar
Study carried out for
 The Garden City Group Inc.
Agriculture Development Corporation
 TrivandrumPh: +91 9447583751
 2008
 
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 ABSTRACT
 The number of elderly is increasing, especially the proportion of the oldest. Since diseases and impairments that hamper functionalability are most common among the oldest, it is probable that thenumber of elderly living in long-term care will remain high or evenincrease despite the emphasis placed on promoting home care.Many negative features characterize institutional living. Theseinclude loss of autonomy and self-esteem, loneliness and hopelessness.Depression and dementia are frequent among the elderly in long-termcare. The functionally efficient and sterile environment of institutions canaccelerate decline in the abilities of the elderly.Supportive environments are associated with positive healthoutcomes. An environment that provides aesthetic pleasure andpossibilities for engaging in meaningful activities, as well as providingopportunities for socializing, may enhance coping during institutionalliving. Plants are a principal feature of the supportive environment  because restoration from stress and cognitive fatigue are related tonatural environments containing plants. The intention of this study was to consider whether green environmentsand activities related to plants had effects that could be associated withthe well-being of the elderly living in long-term care. The increasingnumbers of elderly with many chronic diseases add to health care
 
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requirements and costs to the community. If a green environment wereassociated with enhancing well-being, landscape design and horticulturecould represent an economically sustainable means to create supportiveenvironments in institutional settings.Historically, horticulture has proven to be an effective means of therapy for many different populations. Horticultural Therapy (HT)generally refers to the use of horticultural activities that are adapted tomeet specific goals of an individual with special needs in treatment (Relf,1997). Many individuals benefit from these activities, including elderly adults, disabled children, mentally and physically disabled adults, or other individuals who could benefit from participating in horticulturalactivities, but who require special adaptations or modifications to do so(Relf and Dorn, 1995).Horticulture has become a valuable therapeutic tool because theactivities can easily be adjusted and adapted to meet the needs of any specific population without altering the main objectives of the program. The scarcity of peer-reviewed academic literature on the subject of HT may suggest that although HT is used by occupational therapists, thelack of evidence-based practice produced by research findings may inhibit its use.Further research is necessary to identify outcome measures related toclient’s perceptions of the benefits gained from HT. The research
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