Almost 1 million people in the UK have some form of dementia. The wonderful variety of experiences in a garden and nature mean it can be tailored to support your own wellbeing.
- Gardening and time in nature can be good for physical and mental wellbeing. People often say gardening boosts their mood
- Tending to a garden gives a sense of purpose, providing an enjoyable distraction and opportunity to focus on something positive
- Gardening creates an opportunity for continual learning, stimulation and can inspire you to try new things
- Choosing and talking about plants and gardening can spark conversation and build new memories
Cynthia smiles and chats while potting seedlings at Thrive Battersea
“When I’m in the garden, I leave my dementia behind.”
Home gardener living with dementia
As we live longer, the number of people with dementia in the UK is also growing. Current estimates put it at 900,000 people, expected to reach over 1 million by 2025.
There are many different types of dementia. While most people living with dementia are over 65, younger people are also diagnosed. Symptoms will be different from person to person. Memory loss may be commonly associated, but changes in mood, sensory impairment and ability to communicate are often experienced too.
Dementia is a progressive disease. The development of symptoms and how it affects day to day life varies with every person. We can say around two-thirds of people living with dementia are living in their own homes. This makes the role of gardens and nature at home just as important as dementia inclusive spaces in care homes.
How gardening can support health and wellbeing
There is growing evidence that access to outdoors and nature can have an important role supporting you if you are living with dementia.
I love it here, it’s so open and makes me feel at peace and relaxed.
Gardener, dementia-friendly allotment Bristol
Time in nature has been shown to improve emotional state, physical health, verbal expression and memory. It can also help sleep and waking patterns, appetite and reduce stress and anxiety.
Gardening is sometimes advised by GPs and others as part of social prescribing. Social prescribing allows health professionals to refer people to non-clinical services in the community that can support their health and wellbeing.
I’ve got a fairly large back garden. I thought, if I can learn to do it (garden), then it will keep me occupied, it will keep my mind active and I will get that exercise.
Cynthia, Thrive client gardener living with dementia
Gardening stimulates all the senses. Some of these may have been affected by dementia, ageing or by having a number of conditions at once. Importantly, it gives the opportunity to look ahead. Nurturing plants means caring for something that will grow and flower in the future.
When gardening, there is the opportunity for connection. This could be by working together with others, or by sharing enjoyment and the things you grow.
My wife has dementia and sharing gardening is a joint activity we enjoy.
Survey respondent, gardening and dementia
We know there are many good reasons why gardening may present a challenge. In a survey on gardening and dementia in 2022, created with Dementia Adventure, 70% of people told us they garden less or have stopped completely since their diagnosis. Reasons ranged from lack of motivation and concentration to physical barriers or not being sure what to do.
But, there were also many who are now gardening more and described the benefits for them. These included:
- Mood boost
- Enjoying a shared activity
- The pleasure of time in nature
- Something to focus on
- A daily routine
- Keeping fit and active
The beauty of gardening and time in nature is its wonderful variety. From physical tasks to simply appreciating your surroundings, you can find something to suit you.
Gardening gives me a lot of joy and connection with wildlife, it enhances compassion for other creatures. It gives me something beautiful to talk about and brings me peace.
Survey respondent, gardening and dementia
A garden haven with spots to sit and enjoy (image credit: Gardening with Dementia survey respondent)
Welcoming outside places can encourage you to spend more time there. Find advice and ideas to help you create inspiring, enabling gardens and outside areas that can appeal to the senses.
Creating welcoming places - gardening and dementia
Read more
Cynthia, a client gardener at Thrive Battersea who lives with dementia
We have seen at our Thrive centres how gardening can benefit those living with early onset dementia.
For Cynthia, time gardening at Thrive Battersea helped her to meet and share with other people, get a little exercise, feel invigorated and to learn.
Watch her video to find out more.
Cynthia's story
Written in collaboration with
Dementia Adventure
Dementia Adventure
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Creating welcoming places – gardening and dementia
Welcoming outside places encourages you to spend more time in them. Find advice and inspiration for your garden if you are living with dementia.
