Bloom Social Therapeutic Horticultural, Healing-Garden Project for Elderly

Interaction with nature has proven to be psychologically restorative with beneficial influences on emotions. The scents of trees and plants, the sounds in nature, and fresh air give us a sense of comfort, allowing for relaxation and clearing the clutter in our minds. Several theories have described nature as positive mental health benefits including the attention restoration theory, nature, and recovery from stress. Similar to the old Japanese practice of tree bathing: simply being in the presence of nature and connecting with it via our five senses, this proposed project is a social therapeutic horticulture project aimed at promoting the brain health and wellbeing of elderly persons and their caregivers (in care homes in Lagos Nigeria) with or without underlying health conditions like dementia.