Horticultural Therapy: A Sustainable and Inclusive Approach to Supporting Older People in Brazil

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/aa.2025.492

Keywords:

Long-term care, Horticultural therapy, Sustainability, Sustainable development goals, Brazil

Abstract

This report examines an inclusive community vegetable garden project at Vila Vicentina, a long-term care facility in Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil. The project was initiated through methods of participatory action research, in which elevated garden beds were planned and constructed with the help of São Paulo State University students and Vila Vicentina staff. This report explores how the inclusive community garden initiative created a space for older adults to engage in leisure and horticultural activities, and contributed to improvements in physical engagement, social interaction, and overall well-being. Our findings suggest that governments and organizations should continue to develop and support initiatives that focus on horticultural activities, as they have the capacity to enhance the physical, environmental, and mental well-being of older adults.

Author Biographies

Jacqueline de Almeida Barbosa Franco, São Paulo State University (UNESP); Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of São Paulo (IFSP)

Graduated in Business Administration at Centro Universitário Eurípides de Marília, Marília (2012), Specialized in Business Economy at Universidade Estadual de Londrina (2013), Continued Education Course in Project Methodology at Universidade Federal de São Carlos (2019) and master’s Production Engineering Student at Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio Mesquita Filho (in course), Currently is student research at Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio Mesquita Filho, Bauru. Has experience in Production Engineering, focusing on the following subjects: Sustainable Development, Agenda 2030, Environment, Strategy in Enterprises.

Quintino Augusto Có de Seabra , São Paulo State University (UNESP)

Graduated in Architecture and Urbanism (2010) at Sao Paulo State University - UNESP/Bauru. Masters in urban engineering (2013) at Federal University of São Carlos - UFSCar. PhD student in Production Engineering from PPGEP - FEB -UNESP/Bauru (2021-2024). Merit Scholarship for Academic Excellence during graduation (2006-2010) by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE), Brasília, Brazil. CAPES (2011) and FAPESP (2012) scholarship holder. Collaborator of Housing and Urbanism Departament - DGHU, Ministry of Infraestructure, Housing and Urban Planning - MOPHU, Guinea-Bissau (2015-2020) and Collaborator of the Municipal Development Agency - ADM, Ministry of Territorial Administration and Local Government - MATPL, Guinea-Bissau (2020).

Bruno Humberto da Silva, São Paulo State University (UNESP)

Graduated in architecture, landscaping, and urbanism at Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio Mesquita Filho, Bauru (2023). Has experience in projects development and Sustainable Development Goals.

Adriano Alves Teixeira, São Paulo State University (UNESP); Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS)

Professor at Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul and Permanent Professor in the master’s and Doctorate Program at São Paulo State University. He is interested in the following research areas: sustainability, circular economy, sustainable development goals (UN), sustainability in supply chains and sustainable management of human resources.

Rosane Aparecida Gomes Battistelle, São Paulo State University (UNESP)

Graduated in Civil Engineering at Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio Mesquita Filho, Bauru (1986), Master's Civil Engineering at Universidade de São Paulo (1991), P.H.D. Sanitary Engineering at Universidade de São Paulo (2002) and post-Doctoral in new materials at Universidade de Aveiro - Portugal (2009-2010). Currently is professor and research at Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio Mesquita Filho, Bauru. Has experience in Civil Engineering, focusing on Structures Mechanic, acting on the following subjects: construction, environment, particle boards and industrial waste construction.

References

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Published

2025-07-08

Issue

Vol. 46 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Research Reports

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Copyright (c) 2025 Jacqueline de Almeida Barbosa Franco, Quintino Augusto Có de Seabra , Bruno Humberto da Silva, Adriano Alves Teixeira, Rosane Aparecida Gomes Battistelle

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