7 Healthcast: Healing garden

Imagine having to stay in a hospital for months, maybe even more than a year to recover. One local hospital is helping long term patients heal using the benefits of nature and the outdoors without ever leaving the hospital. Frances Rivera has the story in tonight's health cast.

This lavish setting looks like it could be at a spa or resort, but this tranquil spot is inside the Shaugnessy-Kaplan Rehabilitation Hospital in Salem.

It's designed to help patients with long recoveries ahead of them.

Dr. Neil Shore, Shaughnessy-Kaplan Rehabilitation Hospital

"They are here for months, sometimes more than a year getting some connection back to the world and nature is very, very important."

Bob Lambert of Peabody spent a long time in physical and occupational therapy at the hospital.

Bob Lambert, patient
"I had Guillain-Barre Syndrome which is very debilitating. I was here for six months and the recovery was very intense."

He says the beautiful garden setting is just what he needed to feel better.

Bob Lambert, patient
"If your confined to a room for x number of days, over time you're looking forward to coming out and if you have that opportunity to experience the outdoors, then I think it's a positive move for that."

John Clark, of West Newburyport suffered a stroke and has been hospitalized since February. He enjoys getting out in the garden".

John Clark, patient
"It's the best therapy I think. It's so peaceful and relaxing, and it's a great escape from laying in that bed."

Doctors say by relieving tension, it can speed up recovery.

Dr. Neil Shore, Shaughnessy-Kaplan Rehabilitation Hospital
"You know the idea of being in nature reduces muscle tension, reduces heart rate, reduces blood pressure and there are even studies showing a reduced time of stay in hospitals."

So we want to improve the quality for the people here and also do everything we can traditionally and untraditionally to improve their well being and their recovery

And the garden has been such a success - the hospital is now adding another garden. It would allow for patients on ventilators and dialysis to also experience nature and leave their rooms. The fundraising ends this month and construction is set to begin later this fall.

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