In Poland, care for dependent, elderly, and chronically ill individuals is organized within the frameworks managed by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Policy. Occupational therapy is an integral part of support in various care facilities, such as long-term care institutions, social welfare homes, and occupational therapy workshops. One method of this therapy, gaining popularity, is horticultural therapy - a form of treatment utilizing plant-related activities and interaction with nature.
Horticultural therapy can take an active form, involving gardening activities (planting, nurturing, and harvesting), or a passive form, including relaxation in green spaces and nature walks. This type of therapy has proven positive effects on both mental and physical health, helping to reduce stress, improve hand-eye coordination, and stimulate the senses. Interesting examples of horticultural therapy application are the projects carried out at the Nursing and Care Facility named after Father Jerzy Popiełuszko in Toruń and at the Occupational Therapy Workshops in Tuchola. These activities, adapted to the individual needs of patients, lead to improvements in their physical and mental condition, boost self-esteem, and facilitate social integration.
Moreover, during horticultural therapy sessions, limb massages can be performed using natural materials such as pine cones or seed bags, supporting rehabilitation and stimulating the senses. Another form of therapy is creating decorations from natural materials, which fosters creativity and manual skills, especially during the autumn-winter period when gardening activities are limited.
Horticultural therapy is an effective therapeutic method that can be used in the work of occupational therapists. Gardening and interacting with plants, as well as therapy using natural materials, following the principles of physiotherapy, can enhance the disturbed psychophysical functions of elderly and disabled individuals.
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