Blacktown Hospital opens sensory garden for dementia patients

Blacktown has one of the highest rates of dementia in the country, with more than 1000 sufferers. Now patients at Blacktown Hospital have a new space to reduce stress and improve their moods.

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DEMENTIA patients at Blacktown Hospital have a new space to improve their mood and escape the anxiety of treatment.

A sensory garden has sprung up in the outdoor area of the clinical services building, offering colourful plants to engage patients’ sight, smell, taste, feel and hearing.

Blacktown and Mt Druitt hospitals fundraising manager Sonia Daniels said the garden had breathed “new life” into the space and it would provide a welcome distraction for patients and their families.

“We wanted to reinvigorate the space,” Ms Daniels said. “It was lacking in a bit of atmosphere and colour.

(L-R) Nurse Zeinab Soltani, patient Shirley Mitchell and Kylie Hazeltine.

L-R) Sonia Daniels, Carol Cunningham, Sarah Cole, Amanda Nowak, Janice Low, Julianne Gibbons and Kylie Hazeltine.

“We have created a space to host … art therapy, outdoor activities and gardening. The aim is to try to reduce isolation and improve wellbeing and a sense of belonging.”

Blacktown has one of the highest dementia rates in the country, with more than 1000 people cases. That figure expected to hit 3500 by 2056.

It is the second most common killer of Australians.

Dr Stephanie Polley (head of department- geriatric medicine) and Amanda Nowak (occupational therapist) cut the ribbon.

The hospital garden already featured a looped walking track and a bus stop for patients and their families to sit and chat.

Its upgrade was funded by community donations, a partnership with the Mazda Foundation and planted with help from Bunnings Warehouse Prospect staff — while patients also got their hands dirty.

Ms Daniels said the garden would have “amazing” long-term benefits.

“It has been shown that gardens can improve mood (for dementia patients),” she said.

Dementia patient and huge Elvis fan John "Henry'' O'Malley dancing to his music with his daughter, Trish Scerri and diversional therapist, Amanda Nowak at Blacktown Hospital.

“Taking them back to the garden might invoke some familiarity and it makes them feel more valued and part of the community.”

Blacktown Hospital also runs music and knitting programs to help with the treatment of dementia.

The revamped garden opened on July 31.