Application of Art Therapy in Environmental Modification to Enhance Quality of Life for Older Persons at End-of-Life: A Case Study of the ‘Flower Garden’ Elderly Care Room Project
Keywords:
Environmental Modification, End-of-Life Older Persons, Quality of LifeAbstract
This academic article presents the application of art therapy through the project “Flower Garden in the Elderly Ward,” an innovative approach to environmental modification aimed at enhancing the quality of life of bedridden and end-of-life older persons. Preliminary observations indicated that many older adults faced spatial limitations and psychological distress due to environments lacking aesthetic stimulation. Environmental modifications incorporating artistic elements, such as floral photographs and ceiling paintings depicting the sky, were found to reduce stress and promote a sense of relaxation.
Data collected from 38 patients revealed that those residing in art-enhanced wards (n = 7) demonstrated a marked reduction in analgesic use, whereas patients in non-modified wards (n = 31) continued high levels of medication consumption, with an average cost of 67.50 THB per person per month. Additionally, two patients with psychiatric conditions in the modified wards showed significant symptomatic improvement, reduced psychotropic medication usage, and decreased monthly injection costs by an average of 154 THB per person. Improvements in sleep quality, including deeper and more restorative sleep, were also observed in the intervention group.
The project further highlights the role of participatory engagement within the framework of a “Compassionate Community,” fostering supportive networks grounded in love and empathy. The findings underscore that integrating art therapy with positive environmental design can sustainably reduce medication dependency and enhance the overall quality of life for end-of-life older persons.
Keywords: Environmental Modification, End-of-Life Older Persons, Quality of Life
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