TRUMBULL, Conn. — Healthcare Facilities Symposium & Expo, HFSE, announced the addition of a unique, new healing garden exhibit to this year’s show. Designed and sponsored by planning and landscape architecture firm, Hitchcock Design Group, the garden will be among the latest trends and breakthrough features attendees will have the opportunity to see and experience first-hand at the event. Now in its 24th year, the conference will take place Sept. 20-21 at Navy Pier in Chicago, Ill.
Healing gardens benefit patients by improving medical outcomes, reducing stress and elevating the immune system. Within this garden, there will be a number of therapeutic elements that make the space “healing.” The garden can be experienced both passively and actively, with a portion of the garden designated for horticulture therapy.
The following are design components that will be found within the garden to contribute to making it a healing environment:
• Comfortable, moveable furniture
• Seating to promote social interaction, or refuge
• Shade elements that provide comfort and create choices for patients
• A water feature to serves as a positive distraction, providing calming and soothing sounds
• Elements that attract wildlife- plants, a bird bath and a bird house
• A prominent amount of real nature plants, stone, water and wildlife
• Plants that provide seasonal interest with contracting colors, texture and fragrance
• A raised planter and planter pots for horticultural therapy
• Fencing that provides defined perimeters and privacy
• Pavement color to reduce glare
“HFSE focuses on how a facility’s physical space directly impacts staff, patients and their families and the delivery of healthcare overall,” says Nancy Jo Hauck, vice president of business development for HFSE. “With hospitals shifting their focus from institutionalized care to that of more patient-centered approach the aspect of a ‘healing garden’ will complement HFSE’s 200+ exhibitors showcasing technologies, products and services that shape the future of healthcare facilities.”
For details, visit www.hcarefacilities.com.
