Filed under: Aging in place, Alzheimer Residence, Assisted Living, Baby Boomers, Community Gardens, Continue Care Retirement Communities, Gardening, Healing Gardens, Horticultural Therapy, Landscape Architecture, Meditation Gardens, Organic gardens, Restorative gardens, Senior Environment Assessment, Senior Living, Successful Aging, Sustainability, Sustainable design, Therapeutic Gardens, landscape design
February 2nd is the day when a (nearly) famous groundhog emerges to see his shadow. If he does in fact see his shadow, it signals six more weeks of winter. (Even if he does not see his shadow – there are still six more weeks of winter.) It is a day of parties and merriment in Punxsutawney, PA. You may recall the movie with Bill Murray – Groundhog Day.
It was actually Germans immigrants who brought along their tradition of celebrating the midpoint of winter. They did were not able to find any badgers in PA and had to use the groundhog to carry on the tradition. It is a day that signifies that we have reached the halfway mark in winter.
The hibernating animals are beginning to stir in their underground nests. I think that is how we all are feeling. The sun’s light is getting a little longer each day and the warmth of the it’s rays feels good on our skin. We can almost taste the days of spring ahead. There are a few other signs to look for, such as the snow drops and crocus beginning to emerge from the ground. The bods of the flowering trees start to swell. I saw a few hostas peaking through a sheltered part of the garden last week.
These feelings that we have a real and remind us of our connection to nature. We start to look through catalogs and plan our garden.
Looking for signs of spring
The Philadelphia Flower Show, the largest indoor flower show in the world, is attended by over 250,000 people. They are hungry for a taste of spring – even if it is literally forced. So, take heart, spring is not all that far away. The groundhog and other indicators remind us that we are half way there.
Filed under: Aging in place, Alzheimer Residence, Assisted Living, Baby Boomers, Community Gardens, Continue Care Retirement Communities, Gardening, Healing Gardens, Horticultural Therapy, Landscape Architecture, Meditation Gardens, Organic gardens, Restorative gardens, Senior Environment Assessment, Senior Living, Successful Aging, Sustainability, Sustainable design, Therapeutic Gardens, landscape design
Even though the temperatures may deter us from venturing outside for any great length of time, there are breaks that give us a short window to escape outside to start to plan and dream of spring. There are chores to do like picking up fallen branches, cutting back the ornamental grasses and pruning the trees and shrubs while they are dormant. It is also a good time to look at your vegetable garden. This is a good time to expand the garden or reorganize what you planted last year.
So, on the colder days, we can retreat indoors and forage through the seed catalogs and gardening web sites. This is the time to plan what vegetables you want to plant for the coming year. What has worked well and what new varieties do you want ti try in 2010? Some of the ‘new’ varieties may actually be vegetable plants that have been around for years and just forgotten until recently. They are the ‘Heirloom’ plants that offer more flavor and are interesting to grow because of their unusual colors. There are green tomatoes such as Aunt Ruby’s German Cherry and Emerald Green. The Rattlesnake pole beans are fun to grow because of their green pods with purple streaks.
Be adventurous and include these or other heirloom varieties in your garden this year. The results will surely make your garden the talk of the neighborhood. Not only will you have some fum new vegetables to try at dinner, they will make the meal look more interesting.
Filed under: Aging in place, Assisted Living, Baby Boomers, Community Gardens, Continue Care Retirement Communities, Gardening, Healing Gardens, Horticultural Therapy, Landscape Architecture, Meditation Gardens, Organic gardens, Restorative gardens, Senior Environment Assessment, Senior Living, Successful Aging, Sustainability, Sustainable design, Therapeutic Gardens, landscape design
An article in the Wall Street Journal (1-5-10-WSJ) focuses on the importance of exercise in our lives everyday. ‘The Hidden Benefits of Exercise‘ by Laura Landro highlights why we need to refocus attention on creating a variety of forms of exercise. ‘Just do it’ takes on special meaning when we realize how spending 30 to 60 minutes a day can protect us against a variety of illnesses, from the common cold to cancer.
The federal government issued guidelines in 2008 and is developing a national plan to encourage following the guidelines. Moderate forms of activity include “ballroom and line dancing; biking on level ground or with a few hills; canoeing; gardening (raking, trimming shrubs); tennis (doubles); brisk walking; water aerobics.” More vigorous exercise includes “biking faster than 10 miles an hour; ‘heavy’ gardening (digging and hoeing); tennis (singles); hiking uphill; jogging or running.” Incorporating gardening as part of a regular exercise regime will accomplish our need for exercise in a creative and stress-reducing manner. We might as well have fun while we are exercising. The fruits of our labor might just be some special vegetables for the table.
Exercise programs also
One of the benefits of exercise can include fresh vegetables
offer benefits at any age and can be especially important for people over 40. The WSJ article references the publication “Fit to Live” by Pamela Peeke, MD. Dr. Peeke discusses how, as we age, ‘physical strength, endurance, flexibility and balance begin to decline.’ Including regular exercise as a part of our daily routine can help to slow the aging process. The complete WSJ article can be found at:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704350304574638331243027174.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_read
Filed under: Aging in place, Alzheimer Residence, Assisted Living, Baby Boomers, Community Gardens, Continue Care Retirement Communities, Gardening, Healing Gardens, Horticultural Therapy, Hospice Residence, Landscape Architecture, Meditation Gardens, Organic gardens, Restorative gardens, Senior Environment Assessment, Senior Living, Successful Aging, Sustainability, Sustainable design, Therapeutic Gardens, landscape design
Good news! We made it through the shortest day of the year, yesterday, December 21st. This day marks the midpoint of the year, which occurred at 5:47 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time (12:47 Eastern Standard Time). The Winter Solstice has the least amount of sunlight and the longest night during the year. In all actuality, the sun’s rise will continue to occur later through the month of January, while sunsets will occur later in the evening. This all seems to balance out as the amount of day light each day begins to lengthen.
This demarcation of the middle of winter was very important for our ancestors who had to meter out their food to survive the long winters. Feasts and celebrations were held during this time as a way of marking the event. Religious holidays occur at this time of year. This time of year is also symbolic as the start of a new year and the hopes for good things to come.
Midwinter also affects us individually. The shorter days mean that our bodies produce more melatonin, which offsets our circadian rhythms. We want to sleep longer during these winter months. Exposure to sunlight is one of the best and most effective ways to help balance our circadian rhythms. Taking a walk during the day may be one of the best way to help balance our bodies natural cycles. So, make a resolution to walk more. Find a friend
Visiting Greenwich, England
to walk with. The companionship and socialization will help spur you on. Walking is the easiest and least costly form of exercise that we can do, at any age. Dr. Weil has information on what to consider when setting out for a walk. Visit the “Ask Dr. Weil” Tip of the Day at the website:
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/TIP03545/Healthy-Habits-Walking.html
Enjoy!
Filed under: Aging in place, Assisted Living, Baby Boomers, Community Gardens, Continue Care Retirement Communities, Gardening, Healing Gardens, Horticultural Therapy, Landscape Architecture, Meditation Gardens, Organic gardens, Restorative gardens, Senior Environment Assessment, Senior Living, Successful Aging, Sustainability, Sustainable design, Therapeutic Gardens, landscape design
The weather certainly has a way of reminding us how we are hard wired to nature. Stopping at a food store on Friday to pick up loaf of French bread for dinner, I thought I had run into an unannounced special sale. There were literally no parking spaces. I had to wind my way to the outer reaches of this typically unused section of the parking lot to find the last parking space. Once inside the store, it finally dawned on me. There was a forecast of snow the next day and everyone was in the store to buy milk, eggs and bread! It was as if people were afraid that they may not have enough food to last 48 hours.
This has to be another lesson from the work of Edward O. Wilson, who wrote about our connection with nature. The fear of being in our homes with nothing to eat scares people into running to the stores. The result is that we all seem to survive. We may even have to get creative and dig into the back of the pantry shelves for that mystery ingredient that we only seem to use in times of climatic despair. This reinforces the belief that we are affected by nature and that we react in ways that are similar to our ancestors, storing up for winter hibernation.
And, on a related side note, be sure to check in on neighbors who may be in need of some T.L.C. Maybe they could use their walk shoveled or someone to visit when they cannot get outside. Maybe you can bring them some of the bread or eggs you purchased at the store. A home baked cake or cookies would gos long way, too! This is especially important for older adults. As the winter months tends to keep us indoors more and not out working in our garden, we lose contact with people. The snow should be a reminder to check on those neighbors who are in need. So, if you are out buying things before the next storm, remember to pick up a little extra for those who may be house bound.
Time to make snow angels!
Holiday post lights in a December snow storm
Filed under: Aging in place, Alzheimer Residence, Assisted Living, Baby Boomers, Community Gardens, Continue Care Retirement Communities, Gardening, Healing Gardens, Horticultural Therapy, Landscape Architecture, Meditation Gardens, Organic gardens, Restorative gardens, Senior Environment Assessment, Senior Living, Successful Aging, Therapeutic Gardens, landscape design
Taking a walk in nature can help improve a persons short term memory. We know that nature can help reduce stress and lower blood pressure. Well, being exposed to natural settings can help to ‘restore’ our ability to concentrate and reflect. A recent research study, “The Cognitive Benefits of Interacting with Nature” by Berman, Jonides & Kaplan (Association for Psychological Science, Vol. 19 – No. 12,
Interacting with Nature
2008), indicates that natural areas are restorative.
When we are emersed in a natural area, such as a park, the woods, on the beach or similiar places, we can get lost in our surroundings. We do not have to look both ways before crossing the street or if a car is coming in our direction. Our senses focus on the sound of the babbling brook or the birds singing in the trees. The feeling of a cool breeze on our face or the warmth of the sunlight on our back can help us to forget about lifes demands.
Spending time in a natural environment will positively affect our memory and attention. The concept of ‘attention restoration theory’ offers the idea that natural settings can help us to be able to relax. When our stress levels are reduced, we can concentrate better and our memory improves. This is especially important if we removed from contact with nature. Taking advantage of a neighborhood park or other natural settings is good for our health and well being.
Filed under: Aging in place, Alzheimer Residence, Assisted Living, Baby Boomers, Community Gardens, Continue Care Retirement Communities, Gardening, Healing Gardens, Horticultural Therapy, Landscape Architecture, Meditation Gardens, Organic gardens, Restorative gardens, Senior Environment Assessment, Senior Living, Successful Aging, Sustainability, Therapeutic Gardens, landscape design
I know that the winter season is fast approaching. The days and nights are getting colder and Thanksgiving is upon us. However, I am already longing for the opportunity to get my hands back into the soil. Spring will not come soon enough.
There are still opportunities for remaining active and keeping the garden tools in operation. We just have to be a little more creative. For example, I picked up some basil plants in the food store this past weekend. I have some unused pots in the garage that were looking for something to do and quickly filled two containers with lush basil plants. I had also taken coleus cuttings a few weeks back. I let them sit in a glass of water for a month to develop new roots. They were ready to be planted in pots this past weekend, also.
So, be creative. Look around in stores for plants that need a good home. Some food stores have small herbs that need a good home. And garden centers have plants that you can adopt into your family. Look for ones that can produce addition plants for the next growing season, such as herbs and annuals. Your window sill or sunlit tables will do nicely. It is a way to keep our interests and passions alive during the winter months and a way to get plants started for next year. Hopefully, spring will be here soon!
The first plants to go in the garden in the spring.
Filed under: Aging in place, Assisted Living, Baby Boomers, Community Gardens, Continue Care Retirement Communities, Gardening, Healing Gardens, Horticultural Therapy, Landscape Architecture, Meditation Gardens, Organic gardens, Restorative gardens, Senior Environment Assessment, Senior Living, Successful Aging, Sustainability, Sustainable design, Therapeutic Gardens, landscape design
We have just turned the clocks back and gained an extra hour. (Where does that extra hour go?) However, the day light is less and less every day. And it is darker earlier in the evenings now. This can mean that our bodies are not getting as much of the light that we need. WE may be spending more time inside, also because it is getting colder and we do not get to spend as much time outside. So, what do we do.
Well, we need to make the extra effort to still spend time outside in the sunlight. Take a walk at lunch or make a few extra trips to the mail box. Park farther away from the entrance to the store so you will have to walk a little longer. Find a friend who will encourage you to walk on a regular basis. Listen to some tunes or pod casts on your MP3 player. (Car Talk always makes the walk more fun.) And – there are always things to do in the garden – fill the bird feeders, pick up branches, rake leaves, etc.
Taking a walk with firends
The lack of sunlight can lead to depression, fatigue, anxiety, insomnia and weight gain. One of the best ways to combat this is to go outside and do it often to fight off the ‘winter blues’. Do not take for granted that we can spend time outside tomorrow. Do it today! Get out and balance those circadian rythmns. Enjoy!
Filed under: Aging in place, Alzheimer Residence, Assisted Living, Community Gardens, Continue Care Retirement Communities, Gardening, Healing Gardens, Horticultural Therapy, Landscape Architecture, Meditation Gardens, Organic gardens, Restorative gardens, Senior Environment Assessment, Senior Living, Successful Aging, Sustainability, Sustainable design, Therapeutic Gardens, landscape design
One of the ways to extend the summer season is to take cuttings of the annuals in your garden. Look around the garden and see what plants are doing good. One of the favorites to use for cuttings are Coleus because they are very easy to root. They are great for use as indoor plants because they are multi-colored and have a range of leaf shapes.
This is a great activity for a horticultural therapist, activity professional or others working with older adults looking for a fall project that can last throughout the winter months. Be sure to take the cuttings from smaller stems and be sure to do it before the first frost. (They are considered a tender perennial, however, they are treated mostly as an annual). An easy way to get the plants to establish a root system is to place the cuttings in water and be sure to change the water frequently.
Once they have set out roots, the Coleus cuttings can be transferred to a pot. It would be good to plant one per pot, so they have a chance to grow full and balanced. Plant them in a light weight, sterilized, quick drainning potting soil mixture. (Decorating pots can be another activty). Be sure to place the newly potted plants in a south facing window sill. Keep the soil moist and be sure to not let it get soggy. A little liquid fertilizer once a month can be helpful (be sure to follow direction carefully and not over fertilize). These plants will be great for starting new plants for your garden next season. So, get your garden clippers and get started!
Filed under: Aging in place, Assisted Living, Baby Boomers, Community Gardens, Continue Care Retirement Communities, Gardening, Healing Gardens, Horticultural Therapy, Landscape Architecture, Organic gardens, Restorative gardens, Senior Living, Successful Aging, Sustainability, Sustainable design, Therapeutic Gardens, landscape design
The article “Quick and Not So Dirty: No-Sweat Composters” by Gwendolyn Bounds in today’s Wall Street Journal offers a number of interesting options for composting. The articles author describes and ‘test drives’ a few of the various of indoor and outside composters currently available. The market place is catching up to public interest and creating models that appeal to a variety of needs. Ms. Bounds has a great video that accompanies the article (worth watching!) http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704107204574471330808326984.html?mod=djemLifeStyleh
This growing interest in composting definitely applies to senior living communities. I have talked with the residents of a various senior communities who are taking up the charge and developing compost programs. Heron Point, a continue care retirement community in Chestertown, MD, has implemented a compost program and it is resident led. Compost bins have been set up in the independent living residential courts, so they are accessible and convenient. All of the compost that is created is used in the community vegetable garden. One of the other goals of the residents is to reduce the amount of compostable food waste collected from the dining service kitchen. So, the vegetable food scraps will be collected and added to a general compost bin for use in the community garden, also.
Gardens at Heron Point CCRC, Chestertown, MD
