Ways Nature Helps Reduce Anxiety for People with Alzheimer’s

Dear Donna:

My mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease about three years ago. Recently, my dad—her primary caregiver—has noticed her anxiety increasing. We’ve been trying to figure out ways to manage it without resorting to medication.

I’ve heard that spending time in nature can be beneficial for people with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. My parents were always outdoor people prior to my mom’s diagnosis. They loved gardening, spending time at nearby lakes, and strolling through one of the many parks we have in our community.

How can we safely use my mom’s love of nature to decrease her level of anxiety and improve her quality of life? I’m not sure how to manage it.

Sincerely,

Jamie in Holland, MI

Using Nature to Help Manage Anxiety for a Senior with Alzheimer’s

Dear Jamie:

Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s often means helping them navigate anxiety, restlessness, and agitation that can arise from confusion or overstimulation. You are correct in thinking that nature might offer some solutions. Nature can be a powerful, gentle tool for calming these symptoms. We often use nature activities with residents in our specialized dementia care communities.

For caregivers, incorporating simple, structured nature-based tasks into daily routines can reduce anxiety while creating moments of connection and purpose. Here are a few ideas I hope you and your dad will find helpful:

• Spend supervised time outside: One of the most effective approaches is guided outdoor time. Short, predictable walks in a familiar setting—such as a backyard, garden, or quiet park—can help regulate mood. Keep walks brief and unhurried, focusing on sensory experiences rather than distance. The two of you can encourage your mom to notice birds, feel sunlight, or listen to leaves moving in the wind. Walking the same route each time builds familiarity, which reduces anxiety.
• Tackle simple garden projects: Hands-on gardening projects are especially beneficial because they provide engagement and a sense of accomplishment. Choose simple, failure-resistant tasks, such as planting large seeds, watering plants, or harvesting herbs. Raised beds or container gardens are ideal, as they reduce physical strain and keep tasks visually clear. Avoid complicated instructions; instead, demonstrate each step and work alongside your mom. The rhythm of gardening can be soothing, while the tactile experience of working with soil and plants grounds the person in the present moment.
• Bring nature indoors: When the weather is bad, indoor nature activities can be fun. Creating a small “nature station” can be calming and purposeful. This might include arranging flowers, sorting smooth stones or pinecones, or caring for houseplants. Caregivers can guide projects such as wiping leaves with a damp cloth or transferring water to plants using a small watering can—tasks that feel meaningful without being overwhelming.
• Plan nature-based sensory projects: These can also be effective tools for managing Alzheimer’s-related anxiety. You or your dad could sit with your mom to listen to nature sounds, such as birds or ocean waves. Visual cues—like watching fish in an aquarium, clouds through a window, or birds in the trees—can also enhance the calming effect. Even opening a window for fresh air and natural light may noticeably shift mood. Creative projects inspired by nature also support emotional regulation. Simple activities like leaf rubbing, painting rocks, or assembling a small nature collage allow for self-expression without requiring memory or complex skills. Focus on the process, not the result, and offer encouragement rather than correction.

Finally, an article you might be interested in reading is “Tips for Gardening with a Senior Who Has Dementia.” It covers topics ranging from how to include your mom in garden planning to looking out for plants that might be toxic if ingested.

Kind regards,

Donna