Make Your Garden Dementia Friendly
A garden that is dementia friendly supports the needs of a person with dementia, and makes it easier to go outdoors, get fresh air, do outdoor activities, and socialise with family and friends.
Below are some key dementia friendly garden design principles, developed by the Dementia Friendly Garden Team of Engaging Dementia, Newtown Saunders and TrinityHaus, that anyone can incorporate to transform their outdoor space into somewhere that everyone can enjoy.
Getting around – try to ensure that your garden is easy to access and has a straightforward layout. Paths and patios should be level, non-slip and a single colour. Provide handrails to support mobility and include raised planters to make gardening easier. Contrasting colours between garden features make them
Safety – try to make the garden safe and enclosed and ensure that there is a clear line of sight between the garden and the house so that a person can see and be seen.
Planting – choose plants that stir the senses with vibrant colours, beautiful scents and that are interesting to touch, as well as those that are well-known and stimulate fond memories. We recommend:
- Hydrangea
- Japanese maple
- Carnations
- Ox eye daisy
- English lavender
Familiar features – make the garden personal and include items in the garden that connect with the person’s past, for example, a vegetable patch, a bird table, a fish pond or a water feature.
Opportunity to relax – provide shelter and seating in the garden so that a person has the opportunity to sit back, take it all in and enjoy time out with family and friends.
Easy to potter – store gardening tools and equipment in a location that’s easy to find and access.
