Therapeutic Garden of the Regional Hospital of Castanhal Transforms Hospital Care into Moments of Lightness and Welcoming
The activity, held weekly, is considered by the rehabilitation team as an extension of hospital care, promoting physical, emotional, and social well-being.
Smiles, laughter, and moments of lightness fill the Wednesday mornings at the Public Regional Hospital of Castanhal (HRPC). This is when the Therapeutic Garden takes place, a project developed by the rehabilitation team in partnership with professionals from psychology, social services, speech therapy, nutrition, and occupational therapy. The proposal is simple yet powerful: to offer humanized therapy outdoors, capable of welcoming not only the patients but also their companions.
The activity, held weekly, is considered by the rehabilitation team as an extension of hospital care, promoting physical, emotional, and social well-being. For the rehabilitation coordinator, Monique Aleixo, the Therapeutic Garden goes beyond the clinical protocol.
“True rehabilitation does not happen only with equipment or technical procedures — it flourishes in the bond, in the welcoming, and in the listening. Outdoor therapy is a way to treat the body with science and the person with empathy. Outside the clinical environment, the patient is no longer seen only by their health condition but is viewed in full: with their history, fears, desires, and potentials,” she emphasizes.
To participate in the activity, patients need to be in stable clinical conditions and have laboratory tests within normal limits, as explained by physiotherapist Emille Rodrigues. “It is important to ensure they are well to avoid any complications during the activities, even with all the support structure. Many patients with long hospitalization periods end up losing track of time, facing anxiety and cognitive changes. In the Garden, they have the chance to interact, move around, get some sun, and regain social bonds. It is a moment of stimulation for the body and mind.”
More than physical rehabilitation, the Therapeutic Garden offers affection, restores confidence, and helps patients feel alive, valued, and part of something greater. This is the case of patient Gilcilene Sousa Silva, 54, a housewife from the municipality of Capanema. Hospitalized at HRPC since early May for diagnostic investigation, she shares that the mornings in the Garden have become very special moments. “I feel very good. This is my third time participating. It is very nice to get out of bed, go down, walk, get some sun, and exercise,” she says, smiling.
Also approving of the initiative is her sister and companion, Live Gomes, who participates in the activities alongside Gilcilene. “I found the work of the HRPC physiotherapy team incredible. I am a strong advocate for the SUS, especially when I see initiatives like this that offer such humanized and differentiated care to patients,” she states.
With the Therapeutic Garden, HRPC reinforces that health goes beyond physical healing. It also flourishes in welcoming, movement, and the warmth of the sun.
The general director of HRPC, Patrícia Hermes, highlights the importance of the Therapeutic Garden project. “Actions like this reaffirm the hospital's commitment to providing a good experience for patients, making the environment lighter and more humanized,” she noted.
Text: Patrícia Baía - Ascom/HRPC
