Therapeutic gardens for dementia or Alzheimer patients

admin on 22 February 2019

Foto: Mati 1909

In January 2016, the Fontenuovo residence opened a unit for Alzheimer’s patients that includes an innovative therapeutic garden designed by a multidisciplinary team that emphasizes the social value of the garden.

The design meets the requirements defined in the most recent scientific studies aimed at improving the health, behavior and quality of life of patients. Thus space is planned naturally, with inputs, outputs, paths, work and rest areas and well-defined points of reference that allow easy orientation and reduce the feeling of insecurity. The garden has five sensorial areas that contain more than thirty plant species and that allow the stimulation of the senses of the patients.

Other Italian institutions and companies are working on the design of these types of gardens. Recently, two companies, Mati 1909 and Generali Arredamenti, presented in Pistoia a garden prototype for patients with Alzheimer’s disease, also with the aforementioned general characteristics.

Characteristics of innovation

Aging, Bank of innovations, Fully inclusive cities, Integrated care, Lab, Mental health, New model of intervention, New service, Personalization of the service, Prediction and prevention

Location

Perugia i Pistoia (Itàlia)

Partners / Funders

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Genesis

For several decades, numerous scientific studies have shown how the design of outdoor spaces is an essential element in the treatment of Alzheimer’s patients. In 2012, the Umbria region launched a therapeutic park framework project in which the Fontenuovo residential garden is an example, while the Pistoia prototype is a sign of the growing interest in this type of facilities around Italy.

Implementation level

In the last years many therapeutic gardens have been created for Alzheimer’s patients in several countries. Apart from Italy, other countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States have been pioneers in therapeutic gardens, and the respective medical societies have issued guidelines so that the design is optimally adapted to the needs of the patients.

Further information

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Vincles BCN, service to strengthen social ties of the lonesome elderly

admin on 21 December 2018

Foto: Ajuntament de Barcelona

In Barcelona, more than 300.000 people aged 65 or older live alone, of which 100.000 are over 80. Vincles BCN is a social innovation project that wants to strengthen the social relationships of older people who feel lonely and improve their well-being through new technologies.

The project has the following main objectives:

Reduce the feeling of loneliness of the elderly,
Maintain and strengthen existing social relationships,
Expand the social relationships of people and create new spaces for the relationship,
Use of IT (Information Technologies) as a communication tool to relate to their environment their environment.

The service uses an app installed on a tablet as a communication tool, which will serve to put people in contact and strengthen their relationships, while creating new ones. Online communication is promoted through the app, while face-to-face meetings are organized. The app allows the user to communicate with his/her family and friends, and with the people who form app-specific user groups.