[Hortitherapy and well-being in day care centres].

Abstract

Day care centers are medical and social facilities that provide day care for people over 60 with Alzheimer's or related diseases. The main aim of the study presented here was to assess the impact of horticultural therapy sessions on the well-being of users, as well as on anxiety, depression and balance. While both day-care professionals and users have embraced the practice, the study failed to show an immediate benefit on users' well-being. This may be linked to the methodological limitations of this first pilot study.