Monday, September 25, 2017

Therapeutic garden to improve mental well-being

Source Website: http://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/therapeutic-garden-improve-mental-well-being
By Felicia Choo, The New Paper, The Straits Time, 20 September 2017 at 06:00 am


The therapeutic garden at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park.
PHOTO: The therapeutic garden at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park.
Designing parks for the ageing population was one of the ideas raised by participants at the SGfuture engagement series. This new therapeutic garden will aid in the successful ageing of Singaporeans and also serve as a reference for future therapeutic gardens across Singapore. NParks has plans to develop a network of these gardens in more parks such as Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park. This network of therapeutic gardens is also one of the initiatives under the Action Plan for Successful Ageing report announced by the Ministerial Committee on Ageing last year.
Beyond the elderly, all visitors will be able to enjoy these therapeutic gardens in our public parks as they are designed to bring about restorative effects to our mental well-being. [3]
Picture posted by jardinesterapeuticos.com
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New garden opens in Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park.

Called a therapeutic garden, it was designed by the National Parks Board (NParks) to provide respite and improve the mental well-being of visitors.


The therapeutic garden at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park.
PHOTO: The therapeutic garden at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park.
With its fragrant and textured plants surrounding a fitness area and benches, a new garden in Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park aims to do more than just please the senses.
Posted by Felicia Choo, The New Paper, The Straits Time, 20 September 2017 at 06:00 am
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http://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/therapeutic-garden-improve-mental-well-being
 

Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park (Pond Gardens)
PHOTO: Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park (Pond Gardens)
The Therapeutic Garden at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park is situated near the pond gardens and was launched on 19 September 2017. The garden is specially designed to engage the senses with a landscape of plants divided into four zones: Fragrance zone, Biodiversity zone, Edibles and Medicinal zone and Colours and Textures zone.
Location: Along Ang Mo Kio Ave 1 (After junction of Marymount Road, Opp Block 223). [2]
Posted by National Parks Board on 21 September 2017
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https://www.nparks.gov.sg/~/media/nparks-real-content/gardens-parks-and-nature/therapeutic-gardens/therapeutic_garden_bishanangmokio.jpg?la=en
https://www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/therapeutic-gardens


This and another garden in Tiong Bahru Park that have wheelchair-friendly fitness stations and planters that are sloped or of different heights opened yesterday.


Tiong Bahru Park
PHOTO: The garden is specially designed to engage the senses with a landscape of plants divided into zones. [2]
Posted by National Parks Board on 21 September 2017
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https://www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/therapeutic-gardens


Together with the first therapeutic garden launched at HortPark in May last year, the gardens are part of the Action Plan for Successful Ageing announced in 2015.


HortPark
PHOTO: HortPark
The first therapeutic garden in Singapore was launched at HortPark on 14 May 2016. This garden has a restorative zone and a complementary activities zone. It is a restful garden with ample shade, wind chimes, water features and an intensive landscape of fascinating and familiar plants to awaken the senses. [2]
Posted by National Parks Board on 21 September 2017
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https://www.nparks.gov.sg/~/media/nparks-real-content/gardens-parks-and-nature/therapeutic-gardens/therapeutic_garden_hortpark.jpg?la=en
https://www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/therapeutic-gardens


Activities such as nature art and gardening aim to stimulate participants' senses and memories through interaction with nature, and encourage motor and hand-eye coordination.

"Families don't have many good places to take the elderly with dementia," said Mr Stephen Chan, centre manager and occupational therapist at the Alzheimer's Disease Association

"But when they are in a garden, they are in a safe space, and there is room for the family to mingle and for the elderly person to walk around."

He pointed out features, such as a distinct walking path and brightly coloured signs that are designed for those with dementia.


The therapeutic gardens at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park designed for families to take the elderly with dementia.
PHOTO: The therapeutic gardens at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park designed for families to take the elderly with dementia. When they are in a garden, they are in a safe space, and there is room for the family to mingle and for the elderly person to walk around. The distinct walking path and brightly coloured signs are designed for those with dementia.
Posted by National Parks Board on 20 September 2017
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PHOTO: The therapeutic gardens at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park
Posted by National Parks Board on 18 September 2017
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Each garden and its programmes cost $500,000, with construction firm Woh Hup funding the development of the 900 sq m garden in Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park through the Garden City Fund.

NParks has also collaborated with the National University Health System to conduct studies on the effects of therapeutic horticulture on the elderly.

One study last year found that of 69 elderly residents in Jurong, those who engaged in such horticulture were more satisfied with life and felt more socially connected.

They were at less risk of depression and inflammation-associated diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.


Marianne North: An Extraordinary Life
PHOTO: Fort Canning Park, yoga
Posted by National Parks Board on 25 July 2017
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By Felicia Choo, The New Paper, The Straits Time, 20 September 2017 at 06:00 am



Reference
[1]  Felicia Choo, The Straits Time, Therapeutic garden to improve mental well-being, posted on 20 September 2017 at 06:00 am, http://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/therapeutic-garden-improve-mental-well-being

[2] National Parks Board, Therapeutic Gardens, Last updated on 21 September 2017, https://www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/therapeutic-gardens

[3] National Parks Board, NParks launches Singapore’s first therapeutic garden in a public park to provide respite and improve mental well-being, posted on 14May 2016, https://www.nparks.gov.sg/news/2016/5/launch-of-therapeutic-garden-at-hortpark
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