PICTURE a dementia friendly garden to stimulate and calm the senses.

That is the therapeutic space under creation at the Alzheimer’s Australia NSW Port Macquarie site at Bridge Street.

The garden’s features will include a sculpture, bird bath, bubbling water, frog pond, orchard planting, vertical herb garden, raised vegetable beds, overhead fairy lights and more.

Alzheimer's Australia NSW Mid-North Coast sector and capacity development – program manager Gary Thomas said time spent in gardens reduced anxiety and confusion, while evidence showed people who accessed gardens had a better quality of life.

He said there had been phenomenal interest and excitement about the garden.

“We are all attracted to quality gardens and people with dementia and their carers are no different,” Mr Thomas said.

The development of the multi-purpose, therapeutic space draws on best-practice guidelines and research from around the world and feedback garnered through consultation with consumers and health professionals.

It is hoped that volunteers will run the garden.

Money raised at the Port Macquarie Memory Walk & Jog on June 4 will help fund the garden development.

Alzheimer’s Australia NSW chief executive officer John Watkins said as thousands of people prepared to take part in the fun-filled Memory Walk & Jog, it was important to keep in mind the serious side of the event.

“We are so pleased this year’s Memory Walk & Jog will help us bring the idea of a dementia friendly garden to life at Port Macquarie,” Mr Watkins said.

“It will be an invaluable resource for us, not only in providing physical, emotional and psychological benefits for people living with dementia, but also in giving families much-needed respite while their loved ones are receiving support with us.”

The garden will offer spaces for activities throughout the day and will act as a blueprint for others looking to create dementia friendly outdoor spaces.

Community members can also do their bit to support the garden’s creation through a Chuffed.org crowdfunding campaign.

Click here support the crowdfunding campaign.

A $25 donation, for example, will help plant two herbs, $50 will go towards small ornaments and pots, and $75 will help plant a tree or go towards lighting up the garden.

The garden project also received a financial boost through the ClubGRANTS scheme and an anonymous donation.

Meanwhile, registrations are open for the Port Macquarie Memory Walk & Jog. 

Click here to register and for more information about the Port Macquarie Memory Walk & Jog.