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Week 19/ 2005: Plants improve the wellbeing of the elderly

As the population is aging, the quest for new ways of improving the wellbeing of elderly people, and thereby decreasing the pressure on the health care system, has been launched in many sectors. A living environment supporting one’s health has received increasing attention as a potential source of wellbeing.

Erja Rappe , D.Sc. (Agr & For.), studied in her dissertation in the field of horticulture, how a green environment and plants would benefit the quality of life for elderly people in long-term care.

“Observing and cultivating plants promotes the mental and social wellbeing of the elderly. Often, the only thing it takes to improve one’s mood is to be able to go out on a balcony to look at trees, bushes and flowers,” says Rappe.

Rappe’s study reveals that growing plants, in particular, had multiple impacts on the lives of those living in homes. “Ordinary gardening, raking the leaves and tending flowers give elderly people a chance to make good use of their remaining cognitive skills. Doing something familiar is calming and makes them feel useful,” Rappe explains. “Gardening with others in turn helps maintain a socially active life.”

A green environment can also be linked to elderly people’s experience of temporal continuity. “Plants connect them to memories. A rowan standing in front of the home may remind someone of the tree under which he or she was kissed the very first time. Following the changing seasons in the garden gives those in long-term care something nice and comfortable to look forward to.”

Text: Simo Salmela
Picture: Erja Rappe
www.helsinki.fi/digitalcommunications

Translation: Valtasana Oy