Horticulture Therapy - DG2 Design

Nov 09 2017

A Review Over Project Chemotherapy Outside

By: Christina Hughey

Project Chemotherapy Outside is an interesting concept. Located in Hilversum, Netherlands designed by Architect Bart Van Der Salm. This project has allowed patients to receive chemotherapy outdoors in a park like setting. The idea of the chairs and set up was inspired by the beach, the similarity is like being at the beach while facing the ocean provides a sense of privacy, so does this space. All patients have a view of the garden, and privacy away from other patients. This may be a more calming environment to receive chemo as opposed to the regular hospital surroundings.

Chairs for Chemo

Oct 20 2017

Friday Fact: Stress and Your Surroundings

By Christina Hughey, Horticulture Therapy Specialist

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Since the beginning of mankind, we developed fight or flight response. An example is, if man encountered a mountain lion, he would have to decide whether to fight or run. People still face stressful situations today, and, the body still responds the same way. Stress can disturb sleep, weaken the immune system, elevate blood pressure, etc. Stress so often happens at hospitals (hearing bad news, waiting long periods of time, etc.). Fortunately, there is research focused around gardens in healthcare environments and their restoration from stress. One relevant theory is Roger Ulrich’s Stress Reduction Theory. Contact with nature has been noted to reduce stress, therefore we know that healthcare gardens just make sense.

Oct 06 2017

Friday Fact: Horticultural Therapy

An important part of landscape architecture is not just design, but how the design makes a person feel. Christina Hughey, our Horticulture Therapy specialist, is here to provide information regarding these aspects of design.

The first tidbit is how gardens can impact elderly. Well designed gardens can improve behavior and moods associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Research by Dr. Joanne Westphal indicates that Alzheimer’s patients who spent ten minutes or more a day engaging in a garden activity improved in physical and mental health. These patients improved in mood, blood pressure, heart rate, and requested less pain medication.

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