Enhancing Psychological Well-being in Elderly Care Homes through Horticultural Therapy

Abstract

Horticultural therapy is a non-pharmacological approach that may support psychological well-being among older adults living in care homes. This study assessed changes in psychological well-being following a structured geriatric horticultural therapy intervention among residents of a government-run care home in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Of 127 residents eligible for the baseline survey, 60 participants with the highest baseline scores were purposively selected. The intervention was delivered three times per week for 16 weeks, with each session lasting 15 minutes per participant. Psychological well-being was assessed before and after the intervention using the Ryff framework, covering autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations, purpose in life, and self-acceptance. The overall mean psychological well-being score increased from 153.85 before the intervention to 156.57 afterwards (t = 6.674, p = 0.0001). Significant increases were reported for autonomy, environmental mastery, positive relations, purpose in life, and self-acceptance, whereas the change in personal growth was not statistically significant. Post-intervention gender differences were reported for autonomy, positive relations, and purpose in life. Psychological well-being was also associated with age, educational status, previous employment, and medical illness. These findings indicate improved psychological well-being scores following horticultural therapy and support further evaluation of structured gardening-based interventions in elderly care-home settings.