Garden transformation for people living with dementia
The Sunshine Hospital Dementia Management Unit provides a specialised service for people living with dementia who have complex care needs and often have an extended stay in hospital.
The garden’s redesign seeks to minimise behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), such as agitation, anxiety, confusion, and aggression.
Evidence shows that the environment can significantly influence mood, behaviour, and engagement for people living with dementia.
The garden was designed utilising dementia friendly design principles, and features:
- Sensory plants, including a new orange tree
- New water feature and bird bath
- Workshop and potting shed
- New clothesline
- Safer walking paths
- Rain gauge
- Spaces for quiet reflection, activities and games, or family gatherings.
The new garden aims to promote opportunities for meaningful participation and improve the experience of patients living with dementia, their carers, and loved ones.
It also features large planter boxes and a refurbished potting shed, providing an opportunity to support patients and their loved ones to garden.
To design the new space, we worked with a Lived Experience Advisor, who has experience of having a family member living with dementia, occupational therapists and our multidisciplinary Dementia Support team.
Divisional Director of Aged, General Medicine, and Subacute Services Kellie Vivekanantham said that the garden refurbishment is part of broader improvements to enhance care for people living with dementia.
People cared for in the unit are often too unwell or vulnerable to live in the community and require intensive care from a specialised multidisciplinary team.
For many, the unit becomes their home for an extended period before transitioning to aged care facilities.