Knowledge and Perception of caregivers on therapeutic gardens in Elderly care homes in Lagos Nigeria

Abstract

AbstractGardening can be an activity that promotes overall health and quality of life, physical strength, fitness, flexibility, cognitive ability, and socialization [1]. Horticulture therapy employs plants and gardening activities in therapeutic and rehabilitation activities and could be utilized to improve the quality of life of the worldwide aging population [2].In Nigeria families mainly provide support for their elderly ones [3], however, some families are gradually accepting the concept of care‐homes. Such care‐homes are in scarce supply and the available ones are operated by the private sector amidst limited resources. An appraisal of the availability of gardens in care‐homes showed that garden and gardening activities are mostly utilized in high‐income countries (HIC). However, the potential benefits of gardening activity are less well understood by related stakeholders in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) [4]. There is a dearth in the literature on the health impact of gardening in LMICs, thus the unavailability and lack of awareness of STH gardens in LMICs [4].This study is an aspect of a social therapeutic horticulture project in two identified care homes in Lagos Nigeria. The study accesses the knowledge of caregivers and the management of STH gardens and the perceived need for such gardens in their respective homes. Utilizing online surveys and interviews for data collection.Currently, the study is ongoing, and ethical approval is being sourced. We aim to conclude the study before the scheduled 2023 AAIC conference.