Gardening with Huntington's disease clients--creating a programme of winter activities.
OBJECTIVE
A programme of garden-related indoor activities was developed to sustain a gardening group for people with mid to late stage Huntington's disease during the winter.


METHODS
The activities were devised by the horticulturist, working empirically, involving the services occupational therapist, physiotherapist, occupational therapy art technician, computer room, recreation and leisure staff. The programme was strongly supported by the nursing and care staff. Feedback on the effectiveness of the activities was sought from the clients, team members and unit staff.


RESULTS
The clients' interest in gardening was sustained by a multidisciplinary programme of indoor growing and using plant products in creative activities, computing and group projects. The clients enjoyed all activities except one that they said lacked contact with plants.


CONCLUSIONS
The inexpensive programme of activities enabled creativity and self-expression, stimulated social contact and helped with therapeutic goals of the clients. In addition, it engaged the multi-disciplinary team and the unit staff, was practical and enhanced the environment.
Spring
Josephine Anne
JA
Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, Research, West Hill, Putney, London, SW15 3SW, UK. jspring@rhn.org.uk
Baker
Mark
M
Dauya
Loreane
L
Ewemade
Ivie
I
Marsh
Nicola
N
Patel
Prina
P
Scott
Adrienne
A
Stoy
Nicholas
N
Turner
Hannah
H
Viera
Marc
M
Will
Diana
D
D003405:Creativity; D051639:Gardening; D006801:Humans; D006816:Huntington Disease / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012621:Seasons