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Horticultural Therapy Association of Victoria Inc Newsletter - 2013 - Issue 2

Winter in Victoria (Yarra Ranges) Welcome to winter and another edition of our newsletter. Winter is the time for frosts, jonquils, daffodils, early wattles and camellias, so keep warm and appreciate the season. Inside this issue is a story regarding the refurbishment of the garden in the Gem Secure Ward at the Sunshine Hospital. I attended the opening ceremony. This garden is now a delightful sensory garden and is the culmination of the efforts of many people and various organisations. I also recently returned from Sydney where I visited CultivateNSW, our sister organization in Sydney, and caught up with various projects that they have been involved with. Paul de la Motte

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Plants for Sensory and Therapeutic Gardens By Paul de la Motte Common Name: Camellias

Botanical Name: Camellia japonica Camellia reticulate Camellia sasanqua Family: Theaceae (Tea family) The Camellia has to be one of the most attractive and versatile shrubs available to Victorian gardeners. Camellias were originally from cooler areas of Asia including China, Taiwan, South Korea and southern Japan, they are now commonly grown in most countries. The Camellia is an evergreen shrub that comes in a range of varieties that grow from 1.5metres to 6 metres high. In their natural habitat they can grow even higher. Camellias flower from winter through to spring Their blooms are pink, red, white and many variations in between, with attractive dark shiny leaves. Many flowers have large open blooms exposing bright yellow stamens. Camellias grow in slightly acid soils and will tolerate full sun, partial shade and even heavy shade. The variety Camellia sinensis is particularly valuable as the tea plant. This plant is grown in warmer tropical and subtropical areas of South East Asia and is grown extensively in India and Sri Lanka. Camellias are a reasonably hardy shrub and once established are moderately drought tolerant. Occasionally they may develop disease but are generally a fairly tough plant. Unfortunately they can also be very popular with possums. Camellias are very popular in Aged Care settings and can be a valuable reminiscence plant. They can also be planted as a hedge to provide privacy. Ideal for a shady spot where many flowering plants struggle, the Camellia gives many years of enjoyment and are suitable for a wide range of gardens.

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Therapeutic Gardening Short Course in 2013

Sat 17th – Sun 18th August, 2013 9.00am - 2.30pm

Holmesglen Institute, 595 Waverley Rd, Glen Waverley

Registration: (03) 9564 1546

Website: //www.holmesglen.edu.au/programs/short_courses/house_and_garden/therapeutic_gardening

Visit from Korean Horticultural Therapist Since early April we have been working with a horticultural therapist from South Korea, whom we met in Seoul last year when we were shown some of their horticultural therapy programs. As a consequence HTAV has involved our overseas visitor in various therapeutic gardening programs around Melbourne in order to further her training. We welcome Ihnnhye to Australia and hope she enjoys her stay here.

Therapeutic Gardening Programmes HTAV has been assisting in conducting horticultural therapy activity programs in a number of facilities where we have been working with staff and clients to help them establish their own long term programs.

HTAV working with clients in therapeutic gardening sessions

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Sunshine Hospital’s new therapeutic garden Dementia patients on Sunshine Hospital’s Secure GEM Ward now have access to a new purpose-built therapy garden thanks to the hard work of local volunteers. The Secure GEM Ward at Sunshine Hospital is a unique ward that provides care for one of the organisation’s most complex and vulnerable patient cohorts. Almost all patients admitted to this sub-acute and aged care specialty unit have behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. In an attempt to help manage some of these challenging behaviours, patients on the secure GEM Ward have always had access to an outdoor area, however, in its previous state the garden did not allow for meaningful activity and the layout did not ensure protection from the elements. Given this, in October 2012, a proposal was submitted to the Western Health Foundation for funding to support the redevelopment of the Secure GEM outdoor area to create a secure, safe and calming outdoor environment specifically designed for people with dementia. A total of $100,000 was provided by the Sunshine Hospital Auxiliary and Opportunity Shop to complete the renovation, which has transformed the area into a state-of-the-art sensory and purpose-built garden, featuring themed areas such as a spiritual garden and an ornamental garden. Western Health Best Care for Older People (BCOP) Manager, Kate Mangion said, “Therapy gardens for people with dementia have been found to have measurable positive outcomes on behaviour, mood, depression, social interaction, sleeping patterns, awareness, orientation, spatial negotiation and active engagement in activities.”

Central garden area with BBQ, shelter and raised garden beds

The redevelopment of this outdoor area into an evidence-based therapeutic garden represents a wonderful collaboration between Western Health’s Division of Subacute and Aged Care, Engineering Department, Community Engagement and Volunteer Team and the Western Health Foundation.

A number of community partners have also played a key role in the success of this project.

Bunnings Warehouse provided equipment and volunteers to assist in installing the garden and Copperfield College donated the artwork for the garden.

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President of the Horticultural Therapy Association of Victoria and Holmesglen TAFE lecturer, Paul de la Motte, who has extensive experience in the design of gardens for people with dementia and disabilities, kindly volunteered his time to create the design for the garden. In addition, Paul also volunteered the time of a class of landscaping students at Holmesglen TAFE to complete the initial costing of the proposal.

The Secure GEM Dementia Therapy Garden was officially opened on 27 June 2013 by Western Health Chief Executive, Associate Professor Alex Cockram.

(Story with permission from Western Health Media Release 27/06/2013)

Opening of the renovated secure garden at Sunshine Hospital

Another recently renovated area at Sunshine Hospital with new raised beds

HTAV Membership Renewals are now due (as of 1st July)

Membership renewals payments can be made via cheque, credit card or direct deposit into the HTAV Bank Account (which saves credit card charges). Details on next page. If you currently receive your Newsletter by post, please advise us if you would be agreeable to receiving the Newsletter electronically in the future.

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HORTICULTURAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION OF VIC Inc

ABN: 27 369 163 101 PO Box 369, Balwyn North, Vic 3104

Telephone: 03 9836 1128 Email: contactus@htav.org.au Website: www.htav.org.au

Membership Renewal – 2013/2014 Individual Membership $35.00 (No GST charged)

Corporate member $50.00

Pensioner / Student / Concession $20.00

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This organisation is supported by financial assistance from the Australian Government and Victorian Government