Recreation Therapy Treatment Program and One Session

Garden Club
Rationale and Purpose of Treatment Program:
Many individuals who have experienced a stroke have limited ranges of
motion, loss of limb use, and speech impairments. Gardening and
horticulture provides an opportunity to engage in tasks that exercise
different functions in the cognitive, motor, and sensory domains.
Additionally, gardening can also satisfy socialization deficits that often occur
after a stroke. The use of a community garden provides clients with a social
outlet that encourages communication and cooperative tasks that enable
individuals to work together in order to care for the plants in the garden
(Robertson & Long, 2008).
Staff Requirements/Competence:
Staff members must have certification as a CTRS and experience
working with individuals who have experienced a strokeincluding
knowledge of stroke effects, constraints, functional deficits, and impairments
in relation to leisure, specifically, horticulture.
Entrance Criteria/Diagnosis and systems to be treated:
Any individual who is interested in horticulture and gardening and
experiences functional deficits on a physical, social, emotional, and cognitive
level is welcomed to attend the program.
Exit Criteria:

Post treatment, the client should have the knowledge and skills to
participate in gardening and horticulture. Additionally, the client should have
an increase and improvement in functions (e.g. improved locomotion, range
of motion, balance, functional use of affected limbs, and speech) that were
affected from a stroke.
Safety Considerations:
Client Risks. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a major risk
factor of a stroke.

Each clients blood pressure should be constantly

monitored. Any other medical

conditions that a client may have should

be monitored as well.
Environmental Risks. The therapist should be aware of every clients
allergies

(e.g. plants, insects, etc.) and have a first aid kit on hand

throughout the program.

Additionally, certain gardening tools may be

sharp or pose as a hazard to the client.

Extreme caution should be taken to

ensure that clients are not injured during the

program sessions.

Facility and Equipment Requirements:

Facility Required. A garden (preferably outside) is the main location
of the

program. However, based on the clients abilities and needs, a

potted garden inside

can also be utilized.

Equipment Required. Depending on the activity, a wide range of

equipment is

necessary to provide purposeful treatment. Specifically,

with horticulture, a garden

space that includes shovels, dirt, plants, and

pots. Additionally, any adaptations that

are necessary should be made to

ensure patients are able to use tools. Furthermore,

considerations should

be made that include raised beds for patients who are unable

to bend or

kneel on the ground.

Outcome Criteria:
The client will actively participate in the garden tasks based on their
ability.
The client will engage in tasks with or without assistance.
The client will demonstrate increased functioning with tasks.
The client will be able to identify different plant species and the care
associated with each individual plant.
The client will interact with other individuals and staff members in an
appropriate manner.
Session Title: Adopt a Spot
Session Description:
The Adopt a Spot session includes the initial set-up of the garden as
well as planting seeds, seedlings, and plants in the community garden space.
Ideally, each client will have an area that they adopt and care for the plants
in their own section. Any maintenance tasks that are required (e.g. watering,
pruning, grafting, weeding, etc.) will be included in the sessions when
necessary and as needed (Recreation Therapy, n.d.).
Session Objectives:

Improve fine motor functioning.

Improve range of motion of limbs.
Increase strength and stability.
Improve memory and cognitive functioning.
Provide opportunities for socialization and group cohesion.

Session Life Skills:

Develop a sense of ownership and responsibility.
Develop patience.

 Increase appreciation for nature.

Session Time:
The group will meet three times a week ranging from 30 minute to 60
minute long sessions depending on the tasks required for each session.
Session Materials:

Plants, seeds, seedlings

Dirt, compost, fertilizer
Shovels, spades, hoes
Adaptive tools
Pots and garden beds
Pads for Kneeling
Raised beds
Watering cans and water
Pictures of plants
First Aid Kit

Session Process:
The therapist will:
Prepare the garden area and provide the proper tools.
Invite the clients to participate in the session.
Demonstrate how to do certain tasks, provide explanations, and assist
when necessary.
Encourage individuals to interact with each other when possible.
Help clients to identify plants, flowers, and tools.
Engage in conversations that discuss clients feelings associated with
the activity.
Be alert to potential safety risks.
Session Content:
This program, although provided for individuals who have experienced
strokes, can be utilized in other settings, agencies, and for other special
populations. Additionally, the program can occur in a community or clinical
setting, and as previously mentioned, can be adapted to occur indoors or

outside depending on the needs of the client and the purpose of the
treatment.

References
Recreation Therapy. (n.d.). Gardening, horticulture, nature crafts, and
recreation therapy:

Adopt a spot. Retrieved from

http://www.recreationtherapy.com/tx/txnature.htm
Robertson, T. & Long, T. (Eds.). (2008). Foundations of therapeutic
recreation: Perceptions,

philosophies, and practices for the 21st century.

Champagne, IL: Human Kinetics.