Horticultural Therapy Education and Older Adults

Abstract

Horticulture has been identified as the number one leisure pursuit of older Americans and as a therapeutic activity which enhances physical and mental health. Instrumental to the involvement of older adults with horticulture is the professional horticultural therapist (HT). Horticultural therapist education, competency skills and professional challenges related to older persons are explored using data from two surveys. The primary method used is a 42-item survey administered in 1995 to 33 American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA) members who reported specialties in “education” and “older adults” in the AHTA 1994 Directory. A secondary method is a 55-item question survey administered in 1994 to directors of 41 educational programs associated with AHTA (return rate 76%). Specific topics discussed include educational programs that address aging in their curricula; competencies that should be taught with specific content on older adults; the importance of introductory gerontology courses in HT curriculum; and firlure challenges in teaching about older adults in terms of curriculum, faculty, students, and employment. Survey results provide a basis for proposing ways in which the HT profession can enhance its educational programs to address the future needs of a growing population of older adults.