Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture 32.1 - 2022

Abstracts

Adapting Horticultural Therapy as Fall Prevention Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Clarence Monteclaro, MD, MBA, MPH

Geriatric falls cause significant morbidity and mortality in the United States and pose a major public health concern. A literature review demonstrates the effectiveness of physical therapy as a single intervention in reducing fall risk, supporting the federal recommended use of the Otago Exercise Program to reduce fall rates among community-dwelling older adults. Yet, the poor retention rate for the 12-month exercise program presents a problem for adoption in the community. In this study, a systematic literature review is conducted to explore the advantages of adapting horticultural therapy and gardening activities as physical exercise to reduce fall risk among community-dwelling older adults. In general, gardening activities are accepted as recommended modalities for varied-intensity physical exercise. Although more rigorous research is needed, several peer-reviewed studies have associated reduced fall rates with increased gardening activities. In comparison to traditional physical therapy, horticultural therapy programs provide a high-motivation alternative to prevent geriatric falls and sustain participant engagement in community-based physical exercises. Furthermore, geriatric fall prevention presents an opportune platform for horticultural therapists to validate clinical practice guidelines and utilize the RE-AIM research-based framework to evaluate and ensure adequate adoption of horticultural therapy in the community.


Horticulture for Health Activity in U.S. Hospitals: Horticultural Therapy, Nutrition-led Programming, Gardens at Hospitals, and Affiliated Community Gardens
Lesley Fleming, MA, HTR, Weishunhua Zhang, BID & Karen Nelson, MBA, MSW

Public and private hospitals have signaled a growing interest in using horticulture-centric models for public health, programs addressing populations with specific health challenges, as well as initiatives that can impact the broader community’s health and wellness. Using the horticulture for health framework (Fleming, 2021) to examine these initiatives reveals four significant areas of activity: horticultural therapy, nutrition-led programming, hospital gardens, and affiliated community gardens. The dynamic hospital environments offer opportunities for health leaders to consider and implement newer models of health services for multiple populations visiting, working, and being treated in hospital settings. Current research and practice across several disciplines provide the foundation for understanding and implementing initiatives where horticulture plays a significant role.


Relevancy of Sense of Taste to Horticultural Therapy
Lesley Fleming, MA, HTR

What role does sense of taste play in horticultural therapy? With increasing attention on diminished sense of taste associated with COVID-19, and relatedly, the gustatory process and gustatory dysfunction, there has been renewed interest in this important, but lesser known component of health. Implications for horticultural therapy include working with populations experiencing taste dysfunction, gustatory sensory stimulation as therapeutic technique and activity, and gustatory challenges as indicators of other health issues. Part of a larger paradigm of sensory processing, this paper focuses on sense of taste and its relevancy to horticultural therapy.