園藝治療方案對失智症老人正向情緒與福祉效益之研究

Effect of a Horticultural Therapy Program on the Emotional Well-Being of Older Adults With Dementia

本研究目的企圖透過一套園藝活動方案，探討方案對養護機構之輕、中度失智症長者正向情緒與福祉效益的事實情形及影響，獲取一個初步的理解。研究方法採單一組前／後測之準實驗設計，運用園藝治療方案並結合正向情緒相關理論，以新北市某區養護機構65 歲以上之輕、中度失智症患者為對象，規劃12人接受六週12次的課程，藉以瞭解受試者在「歡樂」、「自信」、「知足」、「樂觀」四個正向情緒的經驗與收獲；研究工具包括：「失智症老人正向情緒問卷」、「園藝治療福祉效益前後測問卷表」及「觀察紀錄表」。本研究結果發現：一、園藝治療方案以提升「知足」情緒效益最佳；二、對失智症老人最具有效益的是「成就感」及「心情放鬆」兩項；三、能促進正向情緒達到正向循環效果；四、參與方案後之輕度失智症長者效益最佳；五、參與活動的失智症老人對生活充滿期待，並增添與子女間之話題。最後，提出對機構實務及未來研究五項建議。整體而言，藉由導入園藝治療方案，有助輕、中度失智症長者提升正向情緒，因而獲得某種程度的改善；在面對全球罹患失智症者日增的趨勢下，本研究結果特別具有意義與價值。

This research sought to acquire a preliminary understanding regarding the facts and effects of a horticultural therapy program on the emotional well-being of older adults living in care facilities with early or middle-stage dementia. A quasiexperimental design was adopted based on the pretest and posttest results of a single group. Relevant theories regarding positive emotions were incorporated into the horticultural therapy program, which consisted of a 6-week course of 12 sessions for a 12-person group. The subjects were elderly residents at a care facility in New Taipei City aged ≥ 65 years with early or middle-stage dementia. The objective was to understand the feelings and achievements of the program participants regarding four positive emotions: joy, self-confidence, contentment, and optimism. The research instruments were a “Questionnaire on the Positive Emotions of Older Adults with Dementia,” “Questionnaire for Pre- and Posttest on the Benefit and Effectiveness of the Horticultural Therapy Program,” and “Record of Observation.” The results revealed that: (1) The horticultural therapy program was most effective at elevating levels of contentment. (2) For older adults with dementia, the program was most helpful for “creating a sense of achievement” and “relaxing the mind.” (3) The program helped to promote positive emotions and lifestyles. (4) The older adults with early stage dementia benefited the most from attending the program. (5) The older adults with dementia exhibited strong life aspirations and were able to think of more topics to discuss with their children. In summary, introducing the horticultural therapy program helped the older adults with early or middle-stage dementia develop more positive emotions. The findings of this study are particularly valuable given the increasing prevalence of dementia in aging societies.