Forest Bathing Intervention for Persons Living with Dementia and Family Carers: a Feasibility Study

The modified forest bathing intervention was designed by a qualified forest therapist certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. The intervention protocol was developed based on existing forest bathing protocol and modified after field-testing with family caregivers. The intervention consisted of 3 sessions, delivered every two weeks, with approximately two hours per session. Each session took place at a suitable park in the participant's community. During the session, a group of 6 to 8 dyads of people living with dementia and their caregivers were guided by a trained forest therapy guide to engage in nature-based activities, such as walking in the woods, listening to the nature, and interacting with objects in the nature through different sensations. In between sessions, caregivers were encouraged to guide the PLwD and practice similar nature-based activities at times and locations at their convenience.

The art activity intervention was modified from usual art activity session organised by the social service providers for family caregivers and PLwD. It consisted of 3 sessions, delivered every two weeks, with approximately two hours per session. Each session took place in an elderly community centre in the participant's neighbourhood. During the session, participants were guided to engage in individual or collaborative art activities of different forms, such as photo frame of dried flowers, plushball painting, and paper quilling. All the sessions were delivered by a social worker or program worker with experience in art-based activities.