Evaluating the effects of a horticulture program on the psychological well-being of older persons in a long-term care facility

This study investigated the effects of indoor horticultural activities on the psychological well-being of older person in two long-term care facilities over a seven-week period. Thirty-one participants at one facility served as the control group. Thirty-one participants at another facility served as the gardening group. Participants in both facilities continued with their normal daily routine and activities over the seven-week period. However, the gardening group participated in a one-hour indoor gardening activity session once a week over the seven-week period and the control group did not. The control group and gardening group did not differ significantly in psychological well-being prior to the start of the study. After the seven-week program, the gardening group had a significant increase in psychological well-being, whereas the control group had a slight decrease in psychological wellbeing. The results of this study indicate that horticultural activities may have a beneficial effect on the current psychological well-being of older persons in a long-term care facility.