2015-12-15
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The Taichung Municipal Senior Charity Home discovered that the seniors who suffer from senile dementia and disability are often tormented by the three elements of “loneliness, isolation and waiting.” After an internal team meeting along with collaboration with the Formosa Green Care Association, a horticulture course that stimulates the five senses is organized to allow the seniors to improve concentration and social skills through the caring of plants.
“I haven’t felt so happy for ages!” said Mr. Hsieh from the Senior Charity Home. For somebody who has never grown plants like Mr. Hsieh, being able to grow his very own potted plant to put in his room and care for it every day gives him a new sense belonging. It also makes his stay in the Charity Home a much more fun experience.
The Senior Charity Home says that all 200 seniors in residence participated in groups and the participation was much higher than expected with some of the seniors waiting for class every morning. These green thumbs are not only interested in the classes; they also keep asking the instructor how to care for them afterwards, like how often they need to be watered. There is even an elderly man who keeps asking whether the flowers will bloom again if they whither. He is quite the caretaker!
The Department of Social Welfare expresses that horticulture activities are different from horticultural therapy because the latter focuses on lively and easy-to-grow plants, especially those that stimulate the five senses, taste, vision, touch, hearing and smell. It stimulates the seniors’ past memories through the aroma of plants. Research has also shown that seniors who undergo horticultural therapy show improvements in areas such as lower body strength, heart and lung stamina, finger dexterity, walking stability and physical agility. At the same time, depression rate is lowered and the seniors feel better about themselves and society in general.
unit:綜合企劃科
