Effects of Enriched Gardens in Nursing Home Residents With Dementia

Effects of Enriched Gardens on Cognition and Independence of Nursing Home Residents With Dementia: a Cluster-controlled Trial

Comparing the effect of the frequentation of an enriched garden vs sensory conventional garden by nursing home residents with Alzheimer disease. The effects will be evaluated as regards to cognitive impairment (MMSE), autonomy (ADL) and prevention of falls (Unipodal stance and UpandGo Test)

The cluster controlled trial is conducted over a six months period after recruitment of residents from 4 different nursing homes in France. The participants are distributed into 3 groups. One group does not receive incentive from carers to visit any garden, the second group receives incentives to visit regularly a conventional sensory garden and the third group receive incentives from carers to visit regularly an enriched garden. The study is conducted over a period of 6 months. All participants are giving consent to the study. They will be evaluated before and after over 4 different tests. MMSE (Mini Mental Status Examination) for cognitive impairment, ADL (Activity for day Living) for functional autonomy, TUG (Test up and Go) and Unipodal Stance for prevention of falls.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Give consent
• Ability walking alone
• Alzheimer's disease

Exclusion Criteria:

• No dementia
• Severe dementia
• Severe behavioural disorder
• Inability to walk alone