Getting well doesn’t just happen from a hospital bed or inside a gym. Sometimes, letting patients get back to nature is the key to physical and psychological recovery. Horticultural therapy is an innovative treatment that uses plants and plant-related activities to assist people with disabilities or traumatic injuries. We take a creative approach to rehabilitation, offering patients a change of pace and scenery to aid in their recovery.
Horticulture therapy: Our approach
The Sydney Thayer III Horticultural Center at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital is a state-of-the-art facility with cathedral ceilings, skylights and a large greenhouse that radiates peace and beauty. Patients in horticultural therapy enjoy activities like starting seeds; watering or repotting plantings; working with fresh flowers; arranging, drying and pressing flowers; and when the weather permits, outdoor gardening.
With the help of registered horticultural therapists, as well as physical, occupational, recreational and speech therapists, Bryn Mawr Rehab patients work toward therapy goals while enjoying practical activities, in a group setting or individually. Working with plants, patients can improve mobility, coordination, balance, endurance, memory and socialization skills in a natural, therapeutic setting.
Based upon the individualized plan of care, horticultural therapy at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital may be appropriate for both inpatients and outpatients.
Patient profile
Horticultural therapy at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital benefits a wide range of people, from those managing a lifelong disability to those recovering from a serious injury. People of all ages can easily participate in greenhouse activities, naturally improving physical and social skills. Our specially designed greenhouse includes extra wide aisles and non-skid floors to accommodate those in wheelchairs. In horticultural therapy, patients share a meaningful activity with others in an effective, creative and flexible treatment platform.
