Green Care Approaches for Dementia Well-Being
Summary
Green care encompasses a suite of nature-based interventions designed to enhance the well-being of people living with dementia. These approaches range from horticultural therapy and sensory gardens to farm-based day services and structured outdoor activities. By engaging individuals in purposeful tasks within natural environments, green care fosters cognitive stimulation, emotional regulation and social connection. The gentle physical demands of gardening, animal care or walking in green spaces support mobility and reduce agitation, while sensory engagement with textures, smells and colours can evoke positive memories and improve mood. Crucially, many green care models emphasise autonomy and meaningful participation, allowing individuals to retain a sense of agency and identity. As non-pharmacological strategies, these interventions complement traditional medical treatments and have gained traction across Europe, Asia and North America. Practical applications span residential care settings, urban community gardens and public parks, highlighting the adaptability of green care to diverse cultural and infrastructural contexts. Ongoing research seeks to clarify optimal programme duration, staff training requirements and long-term benefits, with a view to integrating green care into national dementia strategies and promoting sustainable partnerships between healthcare providers, agricultural enterprises and community organisations.
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Green Care Approaches for Dementia Well-Being publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in green care approaches for dementia well-being across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Green care farm (GCF): A long-term care setting that integrates agricultural activities, household chores and natural landscapes to support mental and physical health in people with dementia.
Horticultural therapy: A structured therapeutic intervention involving planting, nurturing and harvesting plants to promote cognitive function, fine motor skills and emotional well-being.
Sensory garden: A designed outdoor space incorporating multisensory elements (colours, textures, scents, sounds) to stimulate cognition and mood in individuals with cognitive impairment.
Activities of daily living (ADL): Everyday tasks such as dressing, eating and mobility, used as measures of functional independence in dementia care.
References
- Association between freedom of movement and health of nursing home residents with dementia: an exploratory longitudinal study. BMC Geriatrics (2024).
- How the interrelated physical, social and organizational environment impacts daily life of residents with dementia on a Green Care Farm. Frontiers in Public Health (2022).
- Enriched gardens improve cognition and independence of nursing home residents with dementia: a pilot controlled trial. Alzheimer's Research & Therapy (2021).
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