隨著醫療科技的進步及全民健康保險的實施，國人因此得到完善且相對廉價的醫療照顧，使得台灣人平均壽命延長，超過65歲之老年人口比例也相對地不斷增加，從2002年的9.02%升高至2012年的11.15%，10年的時間增加了2.13%，可謂是全世界老化最快速的國家之一。當老人身體機能退化到日常生活無法自理需要協助時，機構式的照顧就成為照顧老人的選項之一，然而一般長期照顧機構大部分皆著重於老人身體及日常生活的照顧，較少針對住民心靈層面的需求進行瞭解，所以本研究於桃園榮譽國民之家忘我園區、竹北安養中心，進行各為期八週的園藝治療活動。本研究主要以園藝治療效益前、後測評估問卷、簡易心智量表（Mini-Mental Status Examination, MMSE），為評估工具，藉此一評估工具瞭解機構參與者在課程活動前、後的生理、心理、期待、社交、認知等層面的影響。研究結果顯示，園藝治療活動期間，對於參與者的心智狀態比活動前進步或是維持的比率高達80%。另外，根據顯著性分析結果顯示，除了在社交層面無顯著改變外，其餘在生理、心理、期待、認知等層面，參與者皆有顯著之正向效益，此一研究結果可提供長期照顧機構在實施園藝治療活動時之參考。

With the advancement of medical technology and the implementation of National Health Insurance, the Taiwanese have access to reliable and relatively inexpensive medical care. This has caused an increasing life expectancy. The elderly population aged 65 and over in Taiwan has increased from 9.02% in 2002 to 11.15% in 2012, which represents an increase of 2.13% over the past 10 years. Taiwan is therefore one of the world's fastest aging countries. While the physical condition of the older people declined, they are unable to keep independently. The institutional care has therefore become an available option. However, senior long-term care centers usually focus mainly on the physical care needed by the elderly to perform daily activities and seldom focus on their mental needs. Based on the above facts, this research was held in two institutes, namely Taoyuan Veterans Home and Chubei senior care center, two different types of elderly care center residents participate in 8 weeks horticultural therapy program. The research results indicated that during horticultural therapy, 87.9% of participants whose mental status improves or remains stable. It is also revealed that horticultural therapy is best for improving cognitive and physical wellbeing in institutions for people with dementia and for people with disabilities. Therefore, this research can be used as a reference for senior long-term care centers that implement horticultural therapy.