Sensory Garden at Residential Care Home
Proposal
My initial brief was to carry out an arrangement of flower beds surrounding a memorial stone, to bring some colour into a bare unused area of land. After speaking further to managerial & key workers, their wish was to have a Dementia Sensory Garden to benefit the Health & Well Being of residents. We were asked to design an external space that would provide the residents with a relaxing & comfortable environment. There are two areas to the design, secured & non-secured areas.
Non-Secured Area
The existing ‘patio’ area which is at present hard landscaped in concrete brick paviours which is overlooked by the existing dining/lounges. We have designated this area for all residents to be able to carry out gardening activities, install raised beds & seating areas. The area will be partially fenced & the new fencing arrangement to segment the areas between the gardens & the existing car parking & access road. The ground finish will be changed to a wet pour rubber surface of different colours which would also provide some protection if residents take fall.
Secured Area
The designated area is an unused lawn with an existing commemorative stone in the centre of the grass area adjacent to existing conservatory.
The area will be for all but, fundamentally for the residents with early stages of dementia for their well being. The area will be fenced & gated & will have a looped path with benches, pergolas & soft landscaping to stimulate the senses. The ground finish will be changed to a wet pour rubber surface of different colours which would also provide some protection if residents take fall. Also, the existing ramp towards the conservatory will be resurfaced.
Due to the needs to safeguard patients suffering from dementia, the provision of an enclosed and secure outside area was necessary, and the services of Mr. Barry Williams and his company “Cynllun Ni – Our Design” was asked to proceed with the work. On completion, the Committee members were very pleased with the quality of work and the safety measures that were carried out. It was obvious that the well-being of the residents was foremost in the design of this “sensory” garden, which has proved to be very popular.
—The client