Abstract
Recent neuropsychological research suggests that attention function has significant predictive value in diagnosing dementia in the preclinical phase. Given this ongoing, and presumably progressively declining function in people with dementia, it makes sense to more fully understand the ways in which natural settings may restore attentional capacity. This article explores the design implications of Kaplan's Attention Restoration Theory (ART) for restorative gardens aimed to serve those with dementia. It does so by engaging in an interpretive exploration of a qualitative data set regarding expert commentary on a set of gardens nominated for their design quality and responsiveness. The interpretation attempts to connect the design concepts identified by the expert panel with the four properties of restorative environments cited in the Attention Restoration Theory, thereby making theoretical connections for consideration in the design and subsequent evaluation of such places.
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