Does a wander garden influence inappropriate behaviors in dementia residents?
BACKGROUND
The effect on resident behaviors of adding a wander garden to an existing dementia facility was investigated.


METHODS
34 male residents were observed for 12 months before and after opening the garden. Behaviors were assessed using the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory Short Form (CMAI), incident reports, as needed medications (pro re nata [PRN]), and surveys of staff and residents' family members as indices of affect.


RESULTS
Final CMAI scores and total PRNs employed were lower than baseline values with a trend for residents who used the garden more often to have less agitated behavior. Verbal inappropriate behaviors did not change significantly whereas physical incidents increased. Staff and family members felt that the wander garden decreased inappropriate behaviors and improved mood and quality of life of the dementia residents.


CONCLUSIONS
Study design characteristics and garden management may have affected behaviors both positively and negatively. Additional studies are needed to explore the benefits of wander gardens for dementia residents.
Detweiler
Mark B
MB
Psychiatry Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salem, Department of Neuropsychiatry, Behavioral Science, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, Virginia 24153, USA. Mark.Detweiler1@med.va.gov
Murphy
Pamela F
PF
Myers
Laura C
LC
Kim
Kye Y
KY
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001108:Architecture; D003704:Dementia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires