title: [Healing gardens: recommendations and criteria for design].
abstract: The French Alzheimer plan anticipates new specialized structures for cognitive rehabilitation and psycho-behavioural therapy of Alzheimer's patients: the cognitive-behavioural units as follow-care units, the units of reinforced hospitalization inside the long term care units and the adapted activities units. this plan indicates the need to make healing gardens integral parts of these units. The benefits of green space in urban environments has been demonstrated with regards to physical, psychological and sociological effects and similarly studies in hospitals have revealed objective and measurable improvements of patients well being. Although green spaces and gardens are available in many French care units, they are rarely specifically adapted to the needs of Alzheimer's patients. For the garden "art, memory and life" a specific concept guided by a neuropsychological approach was developed, complemented by an artistic vision based on cultural invariants. It is already used in the frame of non-pharmacological therapies to improve symptoms such as deambulation, sleep disorders, apathy and aggressive behaviors. Based on the literature, and our experience and research, recommendations for the design of such gardens dedicated to Alzheimer's patients can be proposed. Beyond taking into account obvious aspects relating to security, allowing for free access, a careful design of walk-ways and a conscious choice of plants is needed. A systematic analysis of the existing green spaces or garden must be conducted in order to pinpoint the weakness of the space and identify the potential for developing it into a real healing garden. Evaluation of adapted questionnaires for users and professionals allow to establish a list of requirements combining both user requests and therapeutic needs as basis for the design of the garden as well as to evaluate during the course of the project, whether the needs of the various stakeholders have been met or if adjustments are necessary.
authors.affiliation: Centre Paul Spillmann, Unité cognitivo-comportementale, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Nancy, France, Centre mémoire de ressources et de recherche de Lorraine, Hôpital de Brabois, service de gériatrie, Vandœuvre Les Nancy, France, Groupe de recherche sur les communications, Laboratoire Interpsy EA 4432, Département de psychologie, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France.
authors.forename: Thérèse
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rivasseau-Jonveaux
authors.forename: Alina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pop
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fescharek
authors.forename: Stanislas Bah
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Chuzeville
authors.forename: Christel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jacob
authors.forename: Laëtitia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Demarche
authors.forename: Laure
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Soulon
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Malerba
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004779:Environment Design; D005602:France; D051639:Gardening / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000458:organization & administration; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008602:Mental Healing; D012931:Social Environment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires