Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print Houseplants increase quality of life for retirement community residents

Houseplants increase quality of life for retirement community residents

February 27, 2009

Caring for plants increases physical and emotional health

LAS VEGAS, NV-As the U.S. population ages, the number of citizens moving from their own homes to assisted living or long-term-care facilities is increasing dramatically. These numbers are expected to continue rising. By 2030, the population aged 65 years and older is expected to double to more than 71 million. Quality of life becomes an important issue for older adults who will reside in retirement facilities.




An article published in the American Society for Horticultural Science journal HortTechnology examines the impact of indoor gardening in regards to quality of life in assisted-living facilities. The results of the study, conducted by Claudia C. Collins and Angela M. O'Callaghan, find that an activity as simple as caring for a houseplant can have very positive effects on a resident's happiness.

The study measured three attributes: mastery, self-rated health, and self-rated happiness. Mastery was defined as the belief that one's actions and choices determine outcomes in life. Often, when adults make the transition from living on their own to an assisted-living or long-term-care facility, they begin to feel a loss of control in their choices and independence. This loss of mastery has a negative impact on their overall sense of health and well-being. Mastery and self-rated health have been found to be two of the most accurate predictors of the social concept of "successful aging", a concept defined as high mental and physical functioning and active engagement with life.

One known way to improve the physical or emotional status of people who have diminished control over their lives is by encouraging them to take responsibility for another individual. This "other individual" may be a person, animal, or plant.

The 4-week study involved participation by 18 residents in a weekly, 2-hour interactive horticulture class taught by a social horticulturist and a sociologist. The residents were given interactive lessons on the care of houseplants, choices of what plants to bring home and care for, and different options in potting containers. The classes also offered residents an opportunity for social interaction with peers and instructors.

Over the course of the study, the teachers were impressed by the transformation of the overall demeanor of the students. They changed from a state of passive, lonely dependence to being more active, socially connected, and responsible for something other than themselves, demonstrating improvement in quality of life and mastery.

Several key categories emerged over the course of the study that illustrated areas of improvement in the resident's quality of life. First, caring for their houseplants provided companionship for the residents, some of whom reported singing and talking to their plants. Second, caring for the plants encouraged active and energetic participation. The researchers reported that "the overall energy was positive and electric as everyone involved could not wait to see how their plants would fare", adding that study participants "got dirty hands, dirt on their clothes, and felt competent."

Other positive impacts noted were a general feeling of success and accomplishment. Residents also showed excitement in planning for the future, and looked forward to being involved in developing an outdoor community garden.

Results of this study suggest that a horticulture intervention such as personal plant responsibility may be beneficial over a period of time. The researchers suggested that similar short-term horticultural activities could be used to help integrate new residents into assisted living, making it feel like their new home, as opposed to being "in a home". Future research will assess longer-term impacts as students from this class transition into the core group for ongoing development of an outdoor healing garden at the site.

American Society for Horticultural Science



Related Quality Of Life Current Events and Quality Of Life News Articles Quality Of Life Current Events and Quality Of Life News RSS Quality Of Life Current Events and Quality Of Life News RSS
Aiming to avoid damage to neurocognitive areas of the brain during cranial radiation
Radiation oncologists at Rush University Medical Center are intent on finding ways to avoid damage to the critically important hippocampus and limbic circuit of the brain when cranial radiation is required to treat existing or potential metastatic cancers.

PMH finding may help some tonsil cancer patients avoid chemotherapy
Clinical researchers at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) have confirmed that patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer ("tonsil cancer") harbour a common type of human papilloma virus (HPV16), but also that such cancers are very sensitive to radiation.

Weight Training Boosts Breast Cancer Survivors' Body Image and Satisfaction with Intimate Relationships, Penn Study Shows
In addition to building muscle, weightlifting is also a prescription for self-esteem among breast cancer survivors, according to new University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine research.

Gastroenterology/hepatology societies release report evaluating fellowship training curriculum
Due to the increasing complexities of treating digestive diseases, allowing gastroenterological (GI) trainee physicians the opportunity to develop enhanced abilities and experiences in specific disease areas or procedures will be a great benefit to patients, according to a "Report of the Multisociety Task Force on GI Training."

Preventative brain radiation for lung cancer patients: Benefits and risks
A new study is taking a closer look at the benefits versus risks for lung cancer patients to undergo preventative brain radiation therapy as a means to stop cancer from spreading to the brain.

Survey: Awareness of COPD is rising, but understanding is still low
Awareness of COPD-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-continues to grow in the United States, according to national survey results released today by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health.

U-M research shows chronically ill may be happier if they give up hope
Holding on to hope may not make patients happier as they deal with chronic illness or diseases, according to a new study by University of Michigan Health System researchers.

Biofield therapies: helpful or full of hype?
Biofield therapies, which claim to use subtle energy to stimulate the body's healing process, are promising complementary interventions for reducing the intensity of pain in a number of conditions, reducing anxiety for hospitalized patients and reducing agitated behaviors in dementia, over and above what standard treatments can achieve.

Benefit of memantine in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease not proven
There is no scientific proof that patients with moderate or severe Alzheimer's disease benefit from drugs containing the agent memantine.

Exercise is good medicine for lymphoma patients
A healthy dose of exercise is good medicine, even for lymphoma patients receiving chemotherapy, University of Alberta researchers have found.
More Quality Of Life Current Events and Quality Of Life News Articles
Quality of Life: The Assessment, Analysis and Interpretation of Patient-reported Outcomes

Quality of Life: The Assessment, Analysis and Interpretation of Patient-reported Outcomes
by Peter Fayers (Author), David Machin (Author)

Quality of life studies form an essential part of the evaluation of any treatment. Written by two authors who are well respected within this field, Quality of Life: The Assessment, Analysis and Interpretation of Patient-reported Outcomes, Second Edition lays down guidelines on assessing, analysing and interpreting quality of life data. The new edition of this standard book has been completely revised, updated and expanded to reflect many methodological developments emerged since the publication of the first edition. Covers the design of instruments, the practical aspects of implementing assessment, the analyses of the data, and the interpretation of the results Presents all essential information on Quality of Life Research in one comprehensive volume Explains the...

Against the Wall: Quality of Life

Against the Wall: Quality of Life
Starring: Lane Garrison, Brian Burnam, Luis Saguar, Mackenzie Firgens, Andrew A. Rolfes
Directed By: Benjamin Morgan

CELEGRATED GRAFFITI ARTISTS 'HEIR' & 'VAIN' ARE SUPERSTARS IN THE UNDERGROUND WORLD OF SAN FRANCISCO'S MISSION DISTRICT URBAN OUTLAWS ALWAYS ON THE RUN. AFTER A CLASH WITH THE LAW, THEY FIND THEIR LIVES SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL WITH EXPLOSIVE CONSEQUENCES.

The Quality of Life (Studies in Development Economics)

The Quality of Life (Studies in Development Economics)
by Martha Nussbaum (Editor), Amartya Sen (Editor)

The idea of the quality of life is central to economic and social assessment and also to public policy, social legislation, and community programs. However, the commonly used indicators of economic success such as per capita income are at best crude measures of the quality of life. There is a strong need for a systematic exploration of the content, reach, and relevance of the concept of the quality of life, and ways of making it concrete and usable. In this collection of essays, some leading economists and philosophers rise to that challenge and provide a wide-ranging investigation. The essays include examinations of recent attempts to replace incomes and utilities by the concept of capability and also an exploration of the classic Aristotelian accounts of human flourishing, which provide...

The Quality of Life Report

The Quality of Life Report
by meghan daum (Author)

Meghan Daum’s unforgettable debut novel brings her sharp wit and courageous social commentary to the story of Lucinda Trout, a New York television reporter in search of greener pastures. Moving to the slower- paced, friendly, and vastly more affordable Midwestern town of Prairie City, Lucinda zealously creates a series of televised reports for her New York audience about her newfound quality of life. But when Lucinda falls for eccentric local Mason Clay, her naïveté about the real world leads her down an unexpected path, where she encounters, among other things, a drafty old farmhouse filled with children, an ever-growing menagerie of farm animals, and the harshest winter the region has seen in twenty years. In other words, simplicity just isn’t as simple as it...

Quality of Life Research: A Critical Introduction

Quality of Life Research: A Critical Introduction
by Professor Mark Rapley (Author)

Using an interdisciplinary approach, this text covers every aspect of quality of life and its application. Introductory text for students of sociology, psychology, public health, and nursing. Softcover, hardcover available.

A Quality of Life

A Quality of Life
Starring: Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne, Derek Fowlds, Richard Vernon, Peter Cellier
Also With: Stuart Allen (Producer), Sydney Lotterby (Producer), Peter Whitmore (Producer)



Therapeutic 6 Finger Like Kneading Massage Cushion with Infrared Heat By the Quality Life

Therapeutic 6 Finger Like Kneading Massage Cushion with Infrared Heat By the Quality Life
by The Quality Life

This wonderful, efficient, Intellectual and Professional Neck and Back Massager feels like actual human massaging your neck and back working his/her all fingers, kneading your muscles and alternatively hitting in drum rhythm. It has 6 powerful finger like massage modes that enables massage your neck, upper and lower back along both sides of your spine. Comes with two lenses that emit infrared rays that accelerate the kneading action, which in turn allows heat to penetrate deep into muscle layer, improving circulation. With this massage cushion, you can initiate your massage experience virtually anywhere, on the sofa, bed, recliner, chair, or even on the floor.

Quality Time Streamline Your Life 3 Piece Rusted Tin Sign with Chain

Quality Time Streamline Your Life 3 Piece Rusted Tin Sign with Chain
by Quality Time

Speak your mind with Sign Language! The perfect way to add zest and fun to a kitchen, rec room, studio, kids room and more! Rusted tin and rusted chain, connect the ¿Streamline Your Life¿ signs together for a vintage nostalgic feel. Our signs are recommended for inside enjoyment only.

The Game of Life: Star Wars - Jedi's Path

The Game of Life: Star Wars - Jedi's Path
by Milton Bradley

Jedi Knight or Sith Lord? Awesome warrior or mystical thinker? These are the choices players face in Game of Life: A Jedi's Path. As players move their aspiring Jedi around the board (passing tests, doing battle, learning lessons, going on missions, and building their lightsabers), they build their connection to the Force in four ways--logic, intuition, fighting, and energy. Along the way, players can choose the Jedi path or the riskier/quicker "Dark Path." But be careful, once you go down the dark side, there may not be redemption for you. At the end of the game, the mightiest Jedi and the darkest Sith square off to determine the most powerful Force-user in the galaxy.

It's a Wonderful Life [Blu-ray]

It's a Wonderful Life [Blu-ray]
Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers
Directed By: Frank Capra
Also With: Frank Capra (Producer), Frank Capra (Writer), Albert Hackett (Writer), Frances Goodrich (Writer), Jo Swerling (Writer), Michael Wilson (Writer), Philip Van Doren Stern (Writer)

George Bailey has so many problems he is thinking about ending it all – and it’s Christmas! As the angels discuss George, we see his life in flashback. As George is about to jump from a bridge, he ends up rescuing his guardian angel, Clarence. Clarence then shows George what his town would have looked like if it hadn’t been for all of his good deeds over the years. Will Clarence be able to convince George to return to his family and forget suicide?

© 2009 BrightSurf.com