Healing gardens e Montessori, un approccio innovativo e proattivo per gli anziani Patrizia Palmieri University of Foggia, Italy This is a section of Accompagnare la longevità(DOI: 10.36253/979-12-215-0744-7) by Vanna Boffo, Michele Bertani, Donatella Bramanti, Rabih Chattat, Laura Formenti Firenze University Press Florence 2025 https://doi.org/10.36253/979-12-215-0744-7.59

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Active ageing represents a central challenge for Geriatric Pedagogy, requiring innovative educational strategies to improve the quality of life of older adults with cognitive frailty. This study explores the integration of outdoor education and the Montessori method – two complementary approaches that support the preservation of residual abilities, cognitive stimulation, and overall well-being. Outdoor education, through therapeutic gardens, offers sensory and motor experiences that help reduce anxiety and disorientation. The Montessori method, when applied to frail older adults, provides a structured environment and specially designed materials that support autonomy and procedural memory. The analysis of the healing gardens workshop at the RSSA “Fondazione G. Palena” in Foggia shows benefits in socialization, mood, and autobiographical memory. Although the results are promising, further studies are needed to assess the replicability and long-term impact of this educational-therapeutic model.

 Active Ageing Cognitive Frailty Montessori Method Outdoor Education Therapeutic Gardens

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