We all feel better after an hour or two of gardening – the fresh air, the exercise and the simple joy of being surrounded by beautiful flowers and the fruits of our labour. But for some people, the benefits go even further.

“A garden can help people living with dementia,” says Jeremy Hughes, Alzheimer’s Society chief executive. “They can enjoy socialising, as well as taking part in physical activity and stimulating the senses, all of which greatly improve their wellbeing.”

The regularity of nurturing plants also adds structure to the day of those living with dementia, while being involved in gardening activities like sowing seeds and watering plants gives a better sense of control, the Society explains.

The cycle of sowing, nurturing, growing and harvesting plants, vegetables and flowers helps give a better perception of their lives.

Garden activities can also help those with dementia talk about their past lives by reminding them about similar activities when they were younger.

Thrive, a national charity supporting horticultural therapy, holds a database of around 900 garden projects in the UK and can put you in touch with a project in your local area (thrive.org.uk or 01189 885688).

Larger projects are clearly wonderful, but for many people, gardening at home is where the real therapy lies.

So how can you create a home garden, or modify an existing one, to give people with dementia the greatest therapy?

Thrive recommends straightforward way-finding: the layout of paths – essentially a loop – could take the visitor on a journey and return them to the starting point, while specimen trees and features such as pergolas, sculptures, bird tables and large pots can act as landmarks.

Create a series of places to sit, with focal points to look at. These should also be protected from bright sunlight, wind and deep shade.

Use gentle changes rather than strong contrasts. Abrupt changes in paving or lighting might give rise to general confusion and agitation.

Stimulate all of the senses all year round with colourful, fragrant plants and flowers, water features and wind chimes.