17/06/2020
Staying active during coronavirus:
•Gardening tips for people affected by dementia..
1. Planting seeds and pruning shrubs
Sowing seeds into pots or beds can offer a sense of achievement as the plants grow and blossom or bloom.
You could choose plants to help stimulate the senses, such as smell and touch. A lamb’s ear, for example, could offer a great sensory opportunity.
2. Creating, maintaining or topping up a water feature
A water feature could help stimulate the sense of both sound and visual, as well as touch if safe. It could also spark memories of gardening hobbies and encourage conversation.
You could try creating your own water feature using a washing up bowl in the ground.
3. Creating a wildlife corner
Welcome insects and other animals into your garden by creating an area just for them. You could leave an area of the garden uncut, or create a log or rock pile habitat to welcome the little critters.
Or why not try creating a bee hotel using hollow stems or bamboo shoots tied together?
This could help aid conversation and encourage communication through looking for the animals or insects.
4. Garden maintenance
From watering plants and deadheading to harvesting vegetables and fruit, these can give a sense of accomplishment and, in turn, increase wellbeing for a person with dementia.
Pruning shrubs or cutting the grass could also be a good activity in the garden. Talking ideas through to decide what needs pruning could also encourage conversation.
Two men watering plants
5. A picnic or dinner in the garden
Enjoying a picnic outside can help conversation by making the environment as appealing to the senses as possible.
Familiar sounds and smells of the kitchen and food, and familiar sights such as tablecloths with flowers be enjoyed.
6. Painting garden furniture
With Spring weather upon us, why not dig out a paintbrush and paint to spruce up your garden furniture and fences?
Painting can be quite relaxing, while feeling like something noticeable has been accomplished.
It’s a great opportunity to make your garden more welcoming and enjoying a refreshment on the garden furniture afterwards will make it all worthwhile.
-Gleem Support Team🤍
0117 325 2772
Gleem Domestic Support is a brand new service that we are now offering to anyone in need of support
