Examples: Suggested Layouts for Dementia Gardens
When designing a dementia garden, the first consideration will be about the size and shape of the space you need to work with. Tara Graham Cochrane of Designwell developed some excellent garden layouts that can be adapted to suit three different types of spaces:
- A large garden
- A narrow garden, and
- A small inner courtyard garden.
Tara is the Principal Landscape Architect for the firm and has drawn on many of the principles and tips for gardening dementia gardens that you can find on our Dementia Gardens page.In looking closely at these layouts, you will notice that they are sustainable designs with inclusions for safety, orientation and accessibility, looped paths, features for providing meaningful activity and a variety of different areas for a range of activities and ways of interacting with nature and the outdoor space. Sensory and edible plant features have also been included.Your design will of course be dependent on the patients you are designing for and the resources and budget at your disposal but with thought and creativity many of the ideas here can be provided inexpensively.Below are the three different layouts:
Source
Alzheimer's Australia SA, Gardens that Care: Planning Outdoor Environments for People with Dementia