Baker 1 Alice Scarlett Baker Professor Vallee English 101 23 September 2011 Medicine Gardens Hospital gardens have

been acclaimed through the centuries to provide healing to the ill. Now they are coming back in a big way showing up everywhere from childrens hospitals to cancer clinics because of research suggesting their amazing value. Hospital gardens have physical, psychological and emotional benefits for the patients and staff as well as being economically advantageous to the hospital. The belief that gardens are helpful to patients in a healthcare setting is more than one thousand years old. Healing gardens are found in both the eastern and western cultures. The eastern cultures have monasteries with elaborate gardens to soothe and distract their patients. European and American mental asylums and other hospitals in the 1800s also used gardens to calm their troubled patients. When technology took over we lost the knowledge of the healing garden, and our healthcare facilities became glass, steel and concrete. While easy to sterilize, they create a cold and depressing environment. In the last twenty years, gardens have started to reappear in hospitals again. The Center for Health Design profile on Dr. Roger S. Ulrich, Ph.D., EDAC states: Dr. Ulrich is Professor of Architecture at the Center for Healthcare Building Research at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden... He is the most frequently cited researcher internationally in evidence-based healthcare design (Center for Health Design). Dr. Ulrichs research on the hospital gardens suggests they are very beneficial: Findings from several studies have converged in indicating that simply viewing

Baker 2 certain types of nature and garden scenes significantly ameliorates stress within only five minutes or less. Further, a limited amount of research has found that viewing nature for longer periods not only helps to calm patients but can also foster improvement in clinical outcomessuch as reducing pain medication and shortening hospital stays. (Ulrich) It seems no matter how far our technology advances, viewing nature is still beneficial to healing. Project for Public Spaces describes Claire Cooper Marcus as a purveyor of planning for people and has this on her profile: Clare Cooper Marcus is Professor Emeritus in the Departments of Architecture and Landscape Architecture at UC Berkeley. She is internationally recognized for her pioneering research on the psychological and sociological aspects of architecture (Project for Public Spaces). Marcus remarks on the growing popularity of hospital gardens and where they are found such as, ...gardens at childrens hospitals, cancer clinics, rehabilitation hospitals, facilities for burn patients, for the frail elderly, and for those with Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia (Marcus). Hospital gardens ease the suffering of patients young and old, no matter the ailment. A hospital gardens most recognized attribute is stress reduction. Hospital gardens offer a variety of multi-sensory experiences in the gardens. Being able to touch the plants, observe a koi pond, or colorful birdhouses helps distract patients. Focusing on the various objects around them, the patients look outwards. Mark Epstein M.D. received his psychology degree from Harvard, and has his own psychotherapy private practice in New York. Epstein comments on the most valued elements of a hospital garden: Among the most valued are features that represent life and health, such as trees, plants and flowers; and elements that arouse the senses, such as fragrances, the

Baker 3 sounds of birds and water, and the feel of sunlight or a gentle breeze. (Epstein) Each hospital garden is unique; some are on rooftops, some have reflected expressions carved into rocks, and some have murals and sculptures. However, each hospital garden is a means of escape from the clinical desert of formidable machines and the smell of antiseptic. Marcus remarks on the various uses a garden might serve for a patient: A hospital garden if sensitively designed can be a place for a person to digest news of a troubling prognosis; a family to wait for someone in surgery or a patient to get some restorative exercise after surgery (Marcus). Hospital gardens are an oasis from a sometimes depressing reality. Hospital gardens encourage exercise for all ages and abilities. Wheelchair accessible paths meander through the gardens, encouraging people to strengthen muscles and to soak up precious Vitamin D. Epstein points out some therapists take their sessions outside: Occupational therapists use deadheading and watering activities to meet goals with their patients (Epstein). These outside therapy lessons make patients want to attend their therapy lesson because they are doing something fun. Marcus comments on the advantages a hospital garden has for the elderly: The elderly, both those who are relatively active and those who are frail, need spaces that will encourage exercise outdoors since sunlight assists the absorption of vitamin D for healthy bones, and walking increases leg muscle strength and lung capacity, combats depression, and improves sleep quality. (Marcus) A few hospitals encourage children to paint terra cotta planters and birdhouses as an art medium that can be used in the garden. Marcus remarks on the advantages of a play garden for children: While children can be led (reluctantly) through therapeutic exercises in an indoor gym, creating a play garden where they naturally engage in similar exercises has proved highly successful

Baker 4 (Marcus). The garden can get children and adults moving in a way a sterile exercise room cannot. Going outside and strolling through the garden, working in the garden or even playing in the garden is a great way to exercise. The gardens help increase satisfaction, with responsibility, and new friendships. Taking care of a plant is a great responsibility. Plants need the correct mixture of sun, soil, nutrients and water. Particular patients might feel useless, lying in a bed all day. Being able to take care of something no matter how small can create the feeling of responsibility. Patients caring for plants can evolve into patients taking an active role in caring for themselves. Melanie K Bland, Kristen A. Johnson, and Shannon M. Rathsam wrote an article for Park Maintenance entitled Taking Root: the Development of a Hospital Garden. In the article they mention gardens can foster friendships: Working side by side with peers helps to develop relationships and common interests (Bland). Making new friendships helps build self-esteem. Being able to make new friends and have the drive to care for your well-being is important in an environment of illness and sadness. Dr. Ulrich's research suggests that gardens increase patient satisfaction: Evidence from studies of a number of hospitals strongly suggests that gardens and other nature help to heighten patient satisfaction with the healthcare provider and overall care (Ulrich). Having happier patients means the patients can switch from high level narcotics to moderate strength painkillers faster, and can also have a shorter hospital stay. Shorter hospital days cut cost on both ends; the patients pay less for quality care, and a hospital with open beds doesnt need an expensive expansion. Some hospital gardens create other benefits such as producing organic food, or roof top gardens which have economic benefits. A hospital garden in Pittsburg produces organic food for

Baker 5 their residents. This garden started off as a flower garden, as the majority of hospital gardens are. After a few years they decided to grow vegetables. Unsatisfied with chemically grown food, they decided to create an organic garden to feed the residents. Doug Oster is the writer of the Pittsburg Post-Gazettes Backyard Gardener section; he also co-hosts the Organic Gardener monthly segment for the Allegheny Front. Doug Oster comments on the production of the vegetable garden at the Magee Womens Hospital: Nearly seventy pounds of produce are picked each week, depending on the season, and the produce is used to feed both staff and patients (Oster). The hospital has had a plate of fresh cucumbers disappear in only three hours; there has been an increase in patient appetite when they are introduced to organic food. Knowing where their food came from and being able to help water or harvest the vegetables can increase the satisfaction and appetite of the residents. The John Theurer Cancer Center in New Jersey boasts a 4,000 square foot hospital garden on its roof. The garden was designed by R &S Landscaping, an environmentally responsible firm. They used their Eco Earth Design Process; the hospital garden was created with eco-friendly methods and materials. In addition to being beneficial to the patients and staff, the garden is beneficial for the building. An article in the Real Estate Weekly called Hospital Roof Garden Helping Patients and the Environment comments about the roof-top garden: The John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center also realizes economic benefits, which include reduced heating and cooling costs, and longer roof lifespan (Real Estate Weekly). The roof top garden acts as an exterior insulation, as well as absorbing rain water, reducing storm water runoff. Even a small amount of energy savings is worth it to a hospital which runs with an enormous overhead. Hospital gardens also attract and retain quality staff. While patients come and go, the staff is there for the long haul. Caring for dying people every day has to be depressing. Several

Baker 6 members of the hospital staff live for days or weeks at the hospital, not going off of the property during that time. Dr. Ulrich mentions the stress that the staff, such as nurses endure: It has been known for decades that healthcare occupation such as nursing are stressful because they often involve overload from work demands, lack of control or authority decisions and stress from rotating shifts (Ulrich). Being able to have a place to escape to relax on the property is extremely important to the staff. Dr. Ulrich comments on hospital gardens effect on staff, Research has begun to appear suggesting that hospital gardens also increase staff satisfaction with the work place and can be advantageous in hiring and retaining new personnel (Ulrich). Hospital gardens are a luxury amenity that attracts and retains quality staff, some coming from different states to work for the hospital of their choice. Having happier and less stressed hospital staff is good for the patients as well as the staff. A hospital garden is also a great marketing amenity. Wealthy people with some ailments such as cancer can choose which hospital they wish to be treated at. People with cancer will be in and out of the hospital getting radiation treatments and seeing doctors. Knowing they and their family will be spending countless hours in the hospital, they might choose one with a garden. A garden can make an extremely peaceful waiting room for patients and their families. Dr. Ulrich who is a professor of architecture remarks, Healthcare design and construction directly accounts for vast amounts of money (Ulrich). Gardens also cost a lot less than state-of-the-art equipment and expensive additions. Hospitals are realizing with a small startup cost they can add a garden, which can attract patients and quality staff from different states. These gardens also are great for the glossy magazines photos advertising the hospitals to counter balance the tons of concrete, glass and steel. In conclusion, contemporary hospital gardens have emotional, psychological and physical

Baker 7 value for both the patients and staff as well as being economically beneficial to the hospital itself. Gardens have been used for centuries in both the east and west cultures to calm patients and promote healing in a hospital atmosphere. Multi-sensory experiences of touching plants and viewing a water feature are proven to reduce stress. Being able to go outside and roam the garden or simply gardening is great exercise. A garden can be a great distraction from pain or serious illness, especially for sick children. Gardens increase happiness with the making of new friends, and being responsible for something no matter how little. One garden in particular goes the extra mile and grows healthy organic food for its residents. A hospital roof top garden reduces energy consumption and storm water runoff. Healing gardens are a great marketing amenity desired by both patients and staff. Hospital gardens are making a great comeback, and will probably never be forgotten about again.

Baker 8 Works Cited "A unique garden in New Mexico brings some solace to the sick." Modern Healthcare 2 Oct. 2000: 52. General OneFile. Web. 22 Oct. 2011. Bland, Melanie K., Kristen A. Johnson, and Shannon M. Rathsam. "Taking Root: The Development of a Hospital Garden. (Park Maintenance)." Parks & Recreation Jan. 2002: 60+. General OneFile. Web. 22 Oct. 2011. "Clare Cooper Marcus Project for Public Spaces - Placemaking for Communities." Project for Public Spaces - Placemaking for Communities. Web. 15 Nov. 2011. Epstein, Mark. "Hospital Gardens Help Patients Heal." Daily Journal of Commerce [Portland, Oregon]. 16 Nov. 2006. Print. Hospital roof garden helping patients and the environment. Real Estate Weekly 25 May 2011: C6. General OneFile. Web. 15 Oct. 2011. Marcus, Clare Cooper. "Trends: Healing Gardens." Contract. 6 Oct. 2008. General OneFile. Web. 22 Oct. 2011. "Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson opens rooftop garden." Long Island Business News. 19 Sept. 2011. General OneFile. Web. 22 Oct. 2011. Oster, Doug. "Hospital Garden Yields Fresh Food." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 18 Sept. 2010. Print. "Patient-specific Healing Gardens." World Health Design, Architecture, Culture, Technology. World Health Design. Web. 22 Oct. 2011. "Roger S. Ulrich, Ph.D., EDAC | The Center for Health Design." Chd | The Center for Health Design. Web. 15 Nov. 2011. Ulrich, Roger S. Health Benefits of Gardens in Hospitals. Rep. Green Plants for Green Buildings. Web. 22 Oct. 2011.