Royal College of Healthcare • Aged care and disability courses in Queensland • How indoor plants can improve wellbeing in aged care settings

How indoor plants can improve wellbeing in aged care settings

Monday, December 9, 2019

The benefits of plants for wellbeing in the workplace

A focus on wellbeing in the workplace is vital for individuals working in aged and disability care. Professionals in the industry need to be given support, tools and opportunities that will foster wellbeing to enable them and those in their care to thrive.

There are many things we can do on a day-to-day basis that can improve wellbeing and reduce stress. These include exercise, mindfulness and finding support from others. Another approach is inviting nature into your life a little more…

Improve wellbeing in the aged care environment with plants

Research shows that time spent with plants has therapeutic effects on those living in aged care facilities, and it is well-known that spending time with nature or in green spaces can benefit all of us, old and young. In fact, studies continually point to nature’s calming and restorative effect on people. Think about it — when asked to think of a calming or happy place, chances are we will choose somewhere close to nature like a lush park, beautiful countryside or the beach.

Of course, we can’t be outside in nature all the time, so what about bringing nature inside with us? In a survey investigating the experiences of plantlife with dementia patients living in residential facilities, staff reported a beneficial impact when indoor and outdoor plants were used as care tools.

Having plants around you whether at home or work can boost your wellbeing, reduce stress and anxiety and even improve the quality of the air. According to research, introducing indoor plants at work can reduce sickness, heighten creativity and increase productivity.

Choosing the right plants

It’s clear that incorporating indoor plants can improve the overall wellbeing of those working in aged and disability care as well as individuals living in aged care facilities. You’ll want to choose carefully though as some can be high maintenance. After all, an ‘indoor’ plant doesn’t really exist, so you need to find plants that are tolerant to living inside.

Plants that are easy to care for while still rewarding you with all the benefits of wellbeing in the workplace are the goal. Succulents make great indoor plants as they have the ability to store away water and survive dry conditions inside. In fact, less is more when it comes to watering them and once a week through summer to every three weeks in winter should do the trick. Other options to consider are spider plants, ferns and peace lilies.

When so much of the day is spent indoors, incorporating some plantlife into your workplace is a great approach to keeping wellbeing a focus for your aged care workplace. Furthermore, why not make caring for indoor plants part of residents’ experience, delivering a hands-on therapeutic experience.