Therapeutic Gardens Designed for Recovery
Features include:
- Nature-based play area with balancing elements and play house
- Bird and butterfly sanctuary
- Patio and outdoor work area
- Small group seating area
- Raised planter beds and planter pots
- Gazebo and bench style swing with shade arbor
- Water feature, green wall, stone walking path, sound abatement wall
The therapeutic uses for this green space span across all ages and diagnoses at Rogers. It will be used for group therapy sessions, as a play and therapy site for children, therapeutic gardening space for adolescents, young adults and adults, and even a nutrition therapy space for patients to develop healthy relationships with food through planting, harvesting and cooking.
Successful Outcomes Supported by Research
Research shows — and there are many stories to be told — that direct contact with nature leads to increased mental health and well-being. Studies by the American Horticultural Therapy Association report numerous benefits from gardening, including:
COGNITIVE
Improves concentration
Stimulates memory
Improves goal achievement
Improves ability to stay focused
Increases relaxation
PHYSICAL
Improves immune response
Decreases heart rate
PSYCHOLOGICAL
Decreases anxiety
Increases sense of self-control
Improves mood
Reduces stress
Increases sense of accomplishment
SOCIAL
Improves social integration and interaction
Provides for healthier patterns of social functioning
These benefits are also treatment goals for patients at Rogers. Our doctors and therapists enthusiastically endorse horticultural therapy as a part of the treatment process. Guided by a specially trained therapist, patients will have the opportunity to be actively involved in gardening as part of their individually tailored treatment plan, increasing positive health outcomes at Rogers.
