Dementia Support Line
Activities for people with dementia to enjoy gardens, plants and flowers in the spring
From the April/May 2016 issue of our magazine, read about the many activities involving plants, flowers and gardens that a person with dementia might find enriching.
There are many activities involving plants, flowers and gardens that a person with dementia might find enriching.
In spring, and as summer nears, gardening activities include sowing seeds in pots or beds, pruning shrubs, preparing beds and borders for planting, watering, ordering plants, planting seedlings and plants, and cutting grass.
Be mindful of plants that could be poisonous, irritating or sharp, and of any help that someone may need to enjoy gardening safely.
Gardens can also inspire drawing and painting – which could also be done from indoors if there is a view – or photography.
Indoors, laying out a selection of plants and flowers can prompt conversation about which people recognise, their favourites and memories connected to them.
A range of herbs may lead to discussion about where they come from and how they are used in different places. This can also be done using pictures found online and viewed on a tablet computer.
