On the rooftop of Mercy Place Mont Clare in Western Australia, dozens of newly-planted roses have come into bloom. They are the promising beginnings of a beautiful sensory garden, which is being created for the enjoyment and relaxation of residents living with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
The garden plays an important role in the wellbeing of residents,” says Surabh Nair, who is General Manager at Mercy Place Mont Clare, Edgewater Mercy Hostel, Mercyville Hostel and Mercy Place Lathlain. “We know that being out in nature and experiencing its beauty through sight, touch and smell improves relaxation, self-esteem and attention among seniors.”
The idea of a sensory garden was originally suggested by one of the residents at Mercy Place Mont Clare a number of years ago. This July, with the help and generosity of residents, family members, staff, volunteers and the local community, the idea finally came to fruition — just in time for spring.
It brings back memories for them and they start talking about all of the different types and colours of roses they used to grow
“The residents have been involved in planting out the garden and pruning it, particularly Ethel Delmenico who has a green thumb,” says Mercy Place Mont Clare Lifestyle Coordinator Navin Rana. “We also have a volunteer, Patricia Esslemont — a real garden guru — who comes here every fortnight to help Ethel and other residents maintain the garden.”
“The families of a number of our residents have generously given money to help us buy the plants,” continues Navin, “and our local Bunnings store donated the soil to fill the garden beds. It has been a real community effort.”
L-R: Mercy Place Mont Clare resident Ethel Delmenico, Volunteer and gardening guru Patricia Esselmont and Lifestyle Coordinator Navin Rana.
This spring has produced the first burst of flowers and the garden is beginning to take shape. The residents have loved watching the roses bloom, touching their velvety-soft, colourful petals and breathing in their sweet perfume.
It is not just the colours and fragrance of the roses that comfort the residents, but the memories they evoke of gardens they lovingly tended at their own homes in years gone by. “It brings back memories for them and they start talking about all of the different types and colours of roses they used to grow,” Navin says.
“For residents living with dementia, initiating conversations can sometimes be challenging, but when we bring them to the sensory garden, it sparks their interest and memories of their own gardens. “The environment breaks the ice and really helps them to relax.”
Ethel loves working in the garden
With dedicated volunteers and residents like Patricia and Ethel, who prune and tend the garden on a regular basis, the sensory garden will surely grow into a well-loved oasis for residents at Mercy Place Mont Clare.
Mercy Place Mont Clare was one of the first Mercy Health Residential Aged Care homes to adopt a small household living approach, which encourages residents to participate in everyday tasks like gardening to keep them motivated and engaged. This is something Mercy Health hopes to implement in more of our homes around Australia.
Last reviewed December 15, 2020.