Delphi Survey to Derive Operating Elements of Horticultural Therapy Programs for the Elderly People with Dementia

Background and objective: In order to provide a basis for creating a horticultural therapy program for the elderly with dementia, this study used the Delphi survey method, which extracts the opinions and judgments of experts to find consensus, to derive operating elements of a horticultural therapy program for the elderly with dementia.Methods: The Delphi survey was conducted in three rounds between April 8 and April 29, 2024. The survey was conducted via email and social media. The expert Delphi panel consisted of 12 people, including professors of horticultural therapy-related departments, medical experts in the field of dementia and elderly, field workers in the field of dementia and elderly, and horticultural therapists.Results: The questionnaire consisted of two parts: the first part was an open-ended questionnaire, consisting of 8 questions about the intervention goals, the total number of sessions, and the number of sessions per week as elements of implementing horticultural therapy programs for the elderly with dementia; the second part was a closed-ended questionnaire based on the results of the first part, consisting of 35 items and rated on a 5-point scale. The third round was a 23-item closed-ended questionnaire based on the results of the second round, with the importance of each item rated on a 5-point scale. The results of the first, second, and third Delphi surveys showed that the intervention goals of the horticultural therapy program for the elderly with dementia were cognitive (M = 4.67) and multidisciplinary (M = 4.08); frequency per week was once a week (M = 4.67) and once or twice a week (M = 4.25); total number of sessions was 12 (M = 4.25) and 15 (M = 4.58); time per session was 30-40 minutes (M = 4.42) and 40-50 minutes (M = 4.00) 2 items, number of participants: 3 (M = 4.00), 4 (M = 4.25), 5-6 (M = 4.00) 3 items, number of experts: 2 participants per expert (M = 4.33), 3 participants per expert (M = 4. 08) 2 items; place of intervention: indoor training center (M = 4.00), indoor garden (M = 4.17), combined indoor and outdoor (M = 4.50) 3 items; target materials: all materials (M = 4.08), plants (M = 4.67) 2 items.Conclusion: The results of the Delphi survey of horticultural therapy programs for older adults with dementia, including the intervention objectives, number of sessions per week, total number of sessions, time per session, and number of participants, can be used as a basis for designing horticultural therapy programs for older adults with dementia, and horticultural therapy programs that reflect these objectives can be specialized. This will contribute to the value and spread of horticultural therapy as a complementary and alternative therapy for the elderly with dementia

Delphi · Delphi method · Dementia · Disease · Psychological intervention · Computer Science · Diverse Approaches in Healthcare and Education Studies · Health and Wellbeing Research · Healthcare and Venom Research · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Gerontology

• A Meta-analysis of Horticultural Therapy Programs for Older Adults with Dementia

  Open Access•Sujeong Lee, Jonghyuck Kim et al.•Journal of People, Plants, and…•2024

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