Table 1 The stimulation modules implemented in the enriched garden, their purpose and their description with activities
Module | Purpose | Description (D) and activities with approximative time spent in activities (A) |
|---|---|---|
1 - Vegetal sundial place | Cognition impairment Temporo-spatial disorientation | D: On sunny days, the shadow projection of the patient gives him indication of daytime over a half circle multi-colour flowerbed—it is associated with a distribution of the same colors over different milestones throughout the garden pathway A: Standing & measure day time and walking over colored milestones (2–5 min) |
2 - Easel place | Cognition impairment Emotional praxis | D: Free expression with a paintbrush over a rain washable canvas of instantaneous emotions that will remain as a garden land art expression. It will exercise motricity of superior members, cognitive stimulation and spatial representation A: Painting with a brush in hand on a washable surface (5 min) |
3 -Self-reflection place | Self-esteem Mild depressive disorder | D: Interaction of reflection of the patient with mirrors distributed in a specific spot producing a magnified light and colour effects through pyramidal prisms with vegetal planted beds A: Standing and interacting visually & mentally with the special scenery (5 min) |
4 - Space-time place | Cognition impairment Temporo-spatial disorientation | D: Architectural construction catching natural lights and producing special effects in its environment during the day A: Standing or sitting and observing/interacting with the special light effects along the day created by sun rays (5 min) |
5 -Sensory amplification | Sensitive stimulation | D: Pyramidal construction of tactile, olfactory and visual effects with a gradated selection of vegetal planting A: Feeling the sensory gradation of this helicoidal pyramid and possibly modify planting (5–10 min) |
6 - Wicker arch walkway | Cognition impairment Praxis | D: Wicker arch constructed over the garden pathway with braiding and shadowing calming interaction A: Braiding of wicker strands (3–5 min) |
7 - Ground painting place | Cognition impairment Praxis | D: A long vertical paintbrush moving along a cable via gravity produces colored paint traces over a specially designed surface as the patient walks while holding the brush handles. A: Accompanying a cable suspended brush and leaving traces of painting on a special surface (3–5 min) |
8 -Motricity place | Walking, exercising balance, prevention of falls | D: Different pathways between parallel bars for exercise on slopes, stairs and obstacles crossing A: Crossing obstacles (2–3 min) |
9 - Sounds and music place | Cognition impairment Praxis | D: Different outdoor musical instruments with predesigned or free musical exercises A: Playing alone or with others melodies on outdoor specific music instruments (5 min) |
10 -Multi-materials place | Walking, exercising balance, prevention of falls, multisensory interaction | D: Special construction to experience differences in materials by touching, viewing, walking and smelling A: Crossing multi materials path and challenging vestibular sensation (2–3 min) |
11 - Ergonomic gardening | Cognition impairment Praxis | D: Flower and vegetable bed planters built with ergonomic access for patients either in wheelchairs or with limited mobility A: Re-visited gardening activities centered on cognitive and functional experience (5–10 min) |
12 - Serenity circle | Troublesome & disruptive behaviour | D: Specially designed semi-closed place using light vegetation and vertical wooden bars to offer a safe and harmonious environment that includes a double layer tight canvas producing special effects in interactions with light and shadows A: Sitting in the middle and interacting visually & mentally with the special scenery (7–10 min) |