2200 Kernan Drive
Baltimore, MD 21207
1-888-4KERNAN (453-7626)

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Healing Garden

The Healing Garden at Kernan Hospital provides a unique environment for patients, families, staff and visitors. It has been designed as a therapeutic tool for teaching our patients how to deal with physical challenges as they transition into the community; or renew their interest in a past leisure activity of gardening.

This therapy opportunity will enhance cognitive and physical skills for negotiating their way around their home and community environment once they leave the hospital. It offers visitors and families space to relax in a beautiful, quiet, natural setting. Employees can explore personal needs for relaxation or revitalization in a quiet, contemplative setting.

Studies have shown a link between a patient's physical enivironment and their ability to manage pain and heal. Utilizing this harmonious balance between body and mind, the garden has been designed to stimulate one's visual, auditory and olfactory senses through the choice of plants, sound and color.

Various ground patterns and textures were incorporated to challenge the mobility skills and prepare patients for their return to the community. The Garden works in tandem with western medicine, imbuing it with beauty, serenity and a more holistic apporach.

Adaptive Gardening

Designing a therapeutic/adaptive garden takes careful planning. Considerations include:

  • Sitting areas
  • Kneeling benches
  • Container gardens
  • Raised beds
  • Water features
  • Wind chimes
  • Bird houses

Creating and maintaining a garden requires the nurturing hands of the gardener along with some essential gardening tools. There are several ways to modify tools for gardeners of differing abilities. Tool modifications may include:

  • Wrist supports
  • Light weight design
  • Longer arms for reaching
  • Ergonomically designed handles

Benefits of Gardening

Kernan's Healing Garden stimulates the whole person:

Physical

  • Mobility
  • Endurance
  • Muscle tone
  • Coordination
  • Gross/Fine motor skills

Cognitive

  • Memory
  • Attention
  • Concentration
  • Sequencing of tasks
  • Name and color identification

Social/Emotional

  • Group Activity
  • Social interaction
  • Alleviation of depression
  • Feeling of accomplishment
  • Self-esteem
  • Motivation

Association and Organizations


This page was last updated on: October 8, 2008.