Research shows that lush, attractive landscaping might aid in healing. According to research by environmental psychologist Roger Ulrich, looking at a garden can occasionally hasten the recovery process after surgery, infections, and other illnesses.
Ulrich and his team examined the medical records of patients recovering from gall bladder surgery at a hospital in a suburban Pennsylvania area. When all other factors were equal, patients with bedside windows overlooking greenery recovered more quickly, required much less pain medication, and experienced fewer post-operative problems than those whose view was a brick wall.
Hospitals and other healthcare facilities should be professionally landscaped to provide shade, peace, outdoor interaction, and healing opportunities.
Here are five factors to consider while designing or improving your therapeutic environment:
1) Greenery is King
While any intelligent hospital landscape design should include concrete paths and courtyards, vegetation should take center stage.
Consider luscious, tiered landscapes with tall shrubs, flowers, and trees for shade. Shade, seclusion, and beauty are all provided by plants, which are essential for a therapeutic environment.
2) Draw in Wildlife
Native plants are easy to maintain and grow well. They are resilient and less prone to illnesses and pests. Additionally, they draw animals, which aid in healing and provide entertainment. When the weather warms up, hummingbirds, butterflies, and other birds will populate the feeders, delighting the hospital staff and patients who go outside for a break.
3) Stimulate Your Senses
The most significant therapeutic landscaping offers more than simply a visual treat. Consider adding ornamental grasses that offer a sound when a breeze passes by. Also, plants that resemble fuzzy lamb’s ears are great to touch and the smell of lavender is known to promote calmness and relaxation.
4) Keep Walkways Safe and Accessible
Both people in wheelchairs and couples strolling side-by-side should be able to simultaneously use sidewalks. They must be smooth to avoid snagging wheeled IV poles or impeding wheelchair wheels. Additionally, strength and balance typically decline for elderly patients/visitors, and these may not have fully returned yet for those recovering from surgery. Minimizing tripping hazards is critical for these individuals.
5) Add Water Features
The sound of running water relaxes us, calms our anxieties, and lessens the tension of a hospital stay. Both waterfalls and fountains are excellent additions to courtyards, public spaces, or as a feature in a therapeutic garden. Consider installing easy-maintenance water features to maximize therapeutic results without increasing the expense of maintenance.
Consider G&G Landscape Solutions to help establish your healing center as the best place to recover. Our Landscape Architects will present solutions that are sure to astound and calm your patients.
