Did you know that gardening is a proven therapeutic activity for those with dementia? Being in nature and participating in the process of growing plants promotes a sense of purpose through meaningful work, taps into familiar memories of touch and smell, encourages socialization, and provides for personal identity as residents choose the plants that appeal to them.

Prosper in Peace will offer residents the opportunity to grow whatever they choose in a community garden setting. Additionally, we will provide a garden-like atmosphere throughout the village complex as the daily experience of contact with nature can have a significant and long-lasting impact on mental and physical health.

Benefits of outdoor gardening have been studied and proven to promote physical activity, increase interactions, stimulate the senses, decrease stress, and spur positive memories. Horticultural therapy and garden environments have also demonstrated effectiveness in reducing pain, stress, agitation, need for medication interventions, and falls.

"Gardening simply does not allow one to be mentally old, because too many hopes and dreams are yet to be realized" ~Allan Armitage

This therapy is so beneficial, it will be a key component of our village. I have already started growing some plants for the Prosper in Peace gardens and will transfer them to the property when we are setting up. I am happy to share pics with you here.

If you would like more information on the therapeutic effects of gardening in an outdoor environment, you can read the studies I researched here:

• Digging into the experiences of therapeutic gardening for people with dementia: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

• The landscape of dementia inclusivity - ScienceDirect

• Recreational Therapy for Dementia-Related Symptoms in a Long-Term Care Setting