top of page
Search

Winter Blues or a Winter Garden

Guest Post By: Debbie Carroll, Author & Director, Step Change Design Ltd.



Getting outside is good for all of us, with research confirming this over many years, and a growing body of evidence* that it is particularly beneficial for people living with dementia.



Do you also find that you get the winter blues, feel a bit low in mood, lethargic, or simply not wanting to do the things you normally love outside? To some extent this is normal, and it can be cozy to hunker down indoors, out of the cold, wet, and wind of winter. Yet, stepping outside can bring real joy and an unexpected boost to your mood.


For people living with dementia, stepping outside can also help orient them to the season, connections to the weather can help relate to appropriate clothing and trigger seasonal tasks to enjoy outdoors for that time of year, and improved sleep and circadian rhythm for some.


Our research**, which was originally focused on dementia care homes, set out to understand why care home gardens (yards) were not used more when we know they are so beneficial to us. Our mission is simply to get the doors open and ensure people can enjoy the garden whenever they choose throughout the year.


We produced a ‘Hints and Tips’ flyer exploring five areas to consider when trying to get more use of your outdoor space. These often overlooked questions can get missed among the day-to-day routines that may have been established over many years.


So why not take a fresh look, ask yourselves the questions below, and see if they

can’t help you step into the garden whatever the weather and time of year.


1) What are you looking at?

Ask yourselves: Can you and your loved one see the garden or yard? Can you sit

inside and simply enjoy a view out?


In our study, we did a simple experiment and turned six indoor chairs around to face the garden, and they showed an immediate impact on residents’ mood, appetite and sleep. Inviting someone to join you in the garden is more likely to receive a positive response if the person living with dementia can see the garden too.



2) What are you wearing?


Where do you keep your coats and outdoor wear? Often times these are not near the outdoor entrance, and if a person with dementia wishes to go out by the time you have gone and got a coat, the moment may be lost. Having appropriate outdoor clothing easily to hand near your main entrance to the garden or even dressing the person ready for an anticipated visit outside can support a visit out. It is never the wrong weather, only the wrong clothing, so be prepared to change to suit the conditions.


3) Can you get outside and back in easily?


Often, our houses are laid out the same way for many years, and it may need a fresh look. Are the routes to the outside easy to understand and uncluttered, particularly if a person may need support, has an unsteady gait, or is using a mobility aid? How can this route be made easier?


Likewise, is the route back inside easy? Take particular care if you have doors with floor length windows alongside them in a matching style. Placing something in front of the window may help orient to the door back inside.


4) What do you love doing outside?


Whatever that may be, bring those elements closer?


Whatever equipment or materials, maybe a bird feeder or some garden tools, make sure they’re accessible.

If they're normally kept at the back of the garden or inside a garden shed, bring them into view so that they can be seen and easily prompt an activity.


Never feel it's a failure to prompt an activity or ask someone to join you, they may just need this initial nudge. Use the change in seasons to ring the changes with what items are to hand, prompting new activities orientated to the season.

Remember gardens don’t have to be about gardening; it can be as simple as taking a walk and getting a breath of fresh air.



5) Why not take a seat?


Where is your nearest outdoor seat and can it be seen from inside? Ensure your outdoor seating is flexible and can be moved to different areas at different times of year to suit the mood of where you wish to sit.


Stepping outside is a sensory experience, and for some this can be overwhelming. So, why not have a seat right near the door so they can take a moment to acclimatise and then go on to enjoy some time in the garden or, having simply enjoyed a few moments of fresh air easily step back inside.


Stay Connected


Keeping the connection to the garden alive can bring benefits to you and the person you may care for so why not give some of our ideas a try.


If you'd like to know more about our research and wider work, you can find a summary of our research on our website, see details below. You can also follow us on most social media or join our newsletter for regular updates.


So,


‘Why don’t we go into the garden?’


Step Change Design focuses on supporting care settings to take a fresh look at their care practices, helping to embed Person-Centred care, in order to enable residents to engage actively and meaningfully with their outside spaces. Their work is based on a large scale research project to understand why care setting gardens are not more actively used, particularly for people living with dementia. More information about their research and wider resources can be found at


This Blog is based on helpful ‘Hints & Tips’ flyer available from their website’s download page


For more information  about their research and wider resources, click the button below



*Greening Dementia

A good overview of the benefits and barriers facing individuals living with dementia in access the natural environment and local greenspaces

‘CLARK, P., MAPES, N., BURT, J. & PRESTON, S. 2013. Greening Dementia

- a literature review of the benefits and barriers facing individuals living with dementia in accessing the natural environment and local greenspace. Natural England Commissioned Reports, Number 137.’


**’Why don’t we go into the garden?’

A series of publications sharing the authors findings of what creates actively used care setting gardens, particularly for people living with dementia. These publications support Care settings and Garden Designers. First published findings cited in:

‘CARROLL D & RENDELL M,(2016) The Care Culture Map and Handbook,

Southampton, Step Change Design Ltd.’


 
 
 
bottom of page