Nature’s gift: Bringing aged care to life with gardens

Horticulturist and landscape designer Jamie Durie OAM believes aged care still has a world of potential to unlock with its gardens so that aged care residents can truly experience nature’s benefits.  

Jamie believes that a garden can be placed anywhere and that innovation is required to help older people engage with their natural environment.

The experienced television personality shared his views at the ACCPA National Conference in Adelaide last month, where his presentation explored some of the biggest projects from his career. 

It also touched on the research and real-world benefits that nature and the environment have on individuals. One such example is a practice known as forest bathing, or Shinrin-yoku in Japanese. 

Forest bathing at its full extreme can involve a full two-week forest retreat that includes spending hours of the day observing nature. While this isn’t easily replicable for aged care settings, nature’s impact is on full show because of research linked to forest bathing.  

“It improves the levels of natural killer (NK) cells in your immune system. Natural killer cells fight things like cancer, infections and inflammation. It can lower blood pressure and stress, increase self-esteem, reduce anxiety and reduce aggression in natural environments” Jamie explained.

“In a subsequent study, essential oil from cedars were admitted into a hotel room where people slept which also caused a significant spike in NK cells in the immune system. Nature really does have all the answers for us. It’s just about exploring it and bringing it to life.” 

Gardens that go anywhere

Jamie’s presentation was filled with practical ideas transferable from large-scale designs like his to small-scale spaces in residential care or retirement living settings.

Some of the simplest initiatives involve establishing garden beds in practical ways. This includes growing herbs around outdoor kitchens so they can be easily used, or even building display units for plants that show off what’s being grown and reduces the space required. Even vertical garden beds for growing herbs and vegetables can be a quick and effective option. 

Photo by JAMIE DURIE DESIGN – Search patio design ideas

Jamie also spoke about the benefits of using materials that are recycled, sustainable and environmentally friendly.

“I created a dry rock bed that ran through the landscape and even though there was no water running through it, because we were in a water crisis, it gave us the idea that we were sitting by a brook. By raising the decks above it and including some lovely grasses and so forth we were able to build the feeling of an elevated garden,” he explained. 

Creating spaces that promote privacy is also important. One example is a garden Jamie produced at the Pacific Flora 2004 event in Hamamatsu, Japan. 

“What made this garden very special was that feeling of sanctuary where the garden’s wrapping its arms around you and the guests feel like they’re literally nurtured in nature,” he shared.

“Another important lesson that could work very well in common grounds is changing the levels, building the landscape up and allowing that moment of sanctuary and not having 20 other dwellings look into one space.”

Providing diversity is another critical element when designing landscapes that promote human connection for staff and residents. While some may enjoy an interactive garden where they can tend to herbs, plants or even Bonsai trees, others may want to simply sit and chat or enjoy nature in silence. 

“The secret to this is that gardens have a lovely way of gluing people together. Give them lots of choices to find their own magic within the garden,” he added.

Therapy for the mind and soul 

Therapeutic horticulture is the practice of using plants and gardening activities to improve physical, emotional and psychological well-being. It’s clear from the evidence that it delivers a profound positive impact, especially for older people.

“Nature has this lovely way of giving back to us and it is about mental health”, Jamie explained, “A systematic review in 2019 demonstrated that participants experienced decreases in anxiety, depression and agitation, plus an improvement in mood and engagement, particularly in people with dementia.”

“Recently I did a beautiful vegetable garden for the Salvation Army. That garden is so well used now because all of the residents come out and they start growing their own veggies and they swap gardening tricks. These gardens help to build community and provide purpose and pride through constant care.”

Photo by JAMIE DURIE DESIGN – Browse patio ideas

As for some real-world examples, Noosa Care CEO Grant Simpson shared that nature is a key part of their care delivery. He said the residential care home is surrounded by gum trees with landscaping designed to link all of their lodges while respecting privacy. 

“We have raised garden beds and the residents will help us look after the lettuce, eggplants, herbs, etc. It’s gone to the point where they’re involved in the cooking and that all goes to the kitchen. We then meet with the residents and have a food focus group where they will talk about new menu items that use all the things we grow. It’s a beautiful way of interaction. It gives the residents that purpose and connection,” he said.

Meanwhile, Baptcare Manager of Service Development and Co-ordination Kate Flight said the adoption of Project GROW has promoted outdoor activities across all 16 of their homes. 

“Residents redecorated their courtyards how they wanted, we introduced raised garden beds, we had sunflowers growing. But what they gained out of it was a sense of community connecting the 16 sites together. Different conversations that happened around those garden beds,” she said.

“Sometimes the men weren’t interested in digging the dirt, they were happy to watch, but they were still creating new connections. The staff even had an opportunity to develop courtyards outside where previously they sat inside. Suddenly they were enjoying new courtyards that residents helped create.”