| The wonderful BUPA Garden at the 2008 RHS | | | | are stressed, and relax them. At the same time, |
| Chelsea Flower Show inspired a number of Care | | | | playing the instruments can provide a good |
| and Nursing Homes to unveil their very own | | | | environment for bonding between an Alzheimer |
| sensory gardens for residents and visitors to | | | | patient and his or her therapist, or between a |
| enjoy. The small courtyard garden was a fantastic | | | | resident and family members. |
| example of how an existing outdoor area can be | | | | We know that all activities are important for |
| adapted or how you can create a new garden | | | | residents, visitors and staff, helping to ensure a |
| that appeals to all the senses through the creative | | | | vibrant and stimulating atmosphere, relieve |
| use of colours, smells, textures and sounds. As | | | | boredom and provide an extra sparkle to life. For |
| many care home residents have either visual or | | | | activities directors who want to use music in their |
| hearing impairments, a sensory garden can and | | | | nursing home activities programs, a musical sound |
| should be designed to stimulate the whole range | | | | garden hits all the right notes. Music "speaks" to all |
| of human senses. Carefully laid out benches, | | | | of us, regardless of our language, culture, or |
| plants, walk ways and fountains provide a perfect | | | | abilities and it can be used effectively with groups |
| setting within which to relax and enjoy the visual | | | | and individuals in nursing homes to encourage |
| and audible ambience. Residents, family, friends | | | | expression of feeling and increase socialisation. |
| are all able to reap the health benefits associated | | | | Playing music helps to improve concentration, |
| with sunshine and fresh air whilst benefiting from | | | | increases mobility and coordination, it reduces |
| the added sensory stimulation. Sensory gardens | | | | tension and promotes relaxation. A sound garden |
| can serve many functions, and can be designed | | | | enables residents to react and interact with their |
| for socialising, healing and horticultural therapy. | | | | environment thus providing a healing outdoor |
| Music is important in all aspects of life and a crucial | | | | experience. |
| factor in any sensory environment. A musical | | | | Visitors to the garden can compare and contrast |
| sound garden combines the benefits of a sensory | | | | the sounds made by different materials. |
| garden with playing musical instruments - an | | | | Instruments made with timber emit pure and |
| increasingly popular care home activity. Creating a | | | | natural sounds, a full and rich tone which is low in |
| sound garden for residents will engage their | | | | pitch and very pleasing to the ear. Metal |
| senses whilst having a little fun - an invitation to | | | | instruments produce a lovely clear note when hit, |
| experience the outdoors in a new and fascinating | | | | which is bright and penetrating. Outdoor musical |
| way. Music motivates, enriches, touches, relaxes, | | | | instruments tuned to the pentatonic scale make |
| and energises the elderly in nursing homes. A | | | | playing effortless as the notes within the scale all |
| harmonic sound garden is to create a totally | | | | harmonise with one another, so there are no |
| interactive outdoor soundscape, which pleases the | | | | discordant notes, compelling even the non-musical |
| eye, and enchants the ear. A sensory sound | | | | to pick up a mallet and play, producing new and |
| garden is a multi-generational attraction that lures | | | | original melodies each time. |
| residents and visitors to the outdoors to gather | | | | The unique element of a sound garden is that it is |
| at all times of the year to play the instruments - | | | | not just a green space but also a therapeutic, |
| its difficult to go into a sound garden and not | | | | interactive tool. Imagine sculptures and musical |
| interact with the others that are experimenting | | | | instruments placed alongside winding wheelchair |
| with the different sounds created by the | | | | friendly paths which engage residents in activities |
| instruments. | | | | that create soothing sounds, encourage |
| Much research has been carried out on the | | | | self-expression, improve cognitive skills, support |
| therapeutic benefits and potential that music has | | | | social interactions and motivate residents to going |
| in nursing homes. It can enhance well being and | | | | outdoors to enjoy the open air. |
| alleviate symptoms such as agitation, anxiety and | | | | Providing musical activities outdoors is a wonderful |
| depression. The effect of playing music can be | | | | idea to be borne in mind when designing such |
| simultaneously stimulating and soothing - | | | | areas and to hopefully encourage more outdoor |
| stimulating the primary senses, hearing, touching | | | | living and greater physical activity. |
| and seeing can help to calm patients when they | | | | |