Exploring green care approaches for healthy aging, healing from trauma and holistic environmental, social, spiritual, intellectual and emotional wellness among individuals with dementia: A scoping review

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundGreen care approaches, or nature‐based treatment for greater health and healing, can offer a sense of place and community, empowerment, and various psychological, physical, social, spiritual and environmental benefits, as well as less isolation, depression and posttraumatic stress among older adults, including among people with dementia. This is particularly relevant since the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic, which has given rise to further isolation, depression anxiety and trauma in this population. Still, while green care practices have been in place for more than 100 years, research on green care approaches, such as through care farms and gardens, for promoting healthy aging and holistic wellness among individuals with dementia is limited. Thus, a scoping review was conducted to explore what is currently known about the use of horticulture‐based green care approaches for promoting healthy aging, holistic wellness and potential psychological healing from past trauma.MethodIncluded were peer‐reviewed articles that reported on primary qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods study findings relating to green care approaches for healthy aging and holistic wellness, including with regard to psychological healing. While no geographical parameter was set, all included articles were published in the English language.ResultsIn total, 101 potentially relevant sources were identified in Academic Search Complete and Google Scholar using the search terms “care farm*” or “green care” or “horticulture” or “therapeutic garden” or “nature‐based” AND “dementia” or “Alzheimers.” Of these, 42 peer‐reviewed articles were screened in for full text reading, and a thematic analysis was conducted to offer an overview of current research on horticulture‐based strategies for promoting holistic wellness, healing and healthy aging among individuals with dementia as well as implications for future research, practice, and policy.ConclusionKey overarching themes surround the use of green care for psychological, social, spiritual, environmental and social wellness among individuals with dementia as well as the relevance of green care approaches to advancing trauma‐responsive and culturally appropriate care. Further implications for future research, practice and policy will also be discussed.