COMMUNITY GARDENS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS AND NURSING HOME COMMUNITIES, A PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH STUDY

Objective. The quality of life priorities that this study addressed are obesity, autism, mental health, and elderly services. The project objectives were to create a collaborative research project with community stakeholders and residents as well as opportunities for medical and nursing students to take part in a research experience. Additionally the study provided an opportunity to provide participates with interventions on healthy nutrition and opportunities to for group activities in the garden. Background. There has also recently been a correlation between obesity and physical and/or mental disabilities. Along with these growing issues, there is also a high prevalence of depression problems occurring in the population of those disabled, and especially high in the community within skilled nursing facilities and nursing homes. Improving the way community health providers approach problems of obesity and mental health in conjunction with healthy eating and therapeutic gardening techniques can have broad public health implications. This study will look the experience of geriatric populations and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Broward County, Florida that participate with health professions students in a garden project. Methods. The research design that was best suited to this study is a qualitative approach using the participatory action research (PAR) method. Focus group interviews were used to collect data. The goal of the researchers was to include the participants in the design of the research as well as discover what the experience was like for the participants. Results. The data has been collected and analysis is being completed. Themes, field notes and photo voice will be presented in the presentation. Conclusion. By creating community gardens at Special Olympics South Florida and two local nursing homes, the participants and stakeholders at the facilities have requested that more gardens be placed at there sites. The stakeholders report a positive change in nutritional choices and improved mental status of the clients at their facilities. Grants. Quality of Life Grant 2014 with a no cost extension until November 30, 2015