A garden that calms: sensory nature programme brings remarkable benefits for aged-care residents with dementia

At mecwacare's Park Hill home in Mornington, Australia, a new sensory garden has opened — colourful flowers, textured plants, fragrant herbs and natural sounds, designed for residents living with dementia. The garden expands a nature-based programme, developed with It's Naturally You and piloted at two other homes, where staff observed residents becoming less anxious, agitated and restless — and more talkative, reminiscing and connecting with others. It is care measured not in procedures, but in afternoons spent among herbs and birdsong.

SDG 3 · Good health and well-being — Mechanism: institutional program