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
Filed under: Aging in place, Alzheimer Residence, Assisted Living, Community Gardens, Continue Care Retirement Communities, Gardening, Healing Gardens, Horticultural Therapy, Organic gardens, Restorative gardens, Senior Living, Successful Aging, Sustainability, Sustainable design, Therapeutic Gardens
Various programs are are being developed to help Veterans connect with nature. A program in the United Kingdom, “‘Gardening Leave”, utilizes nature as a vehicle for various therapeutic modalities. The gardens that have been created provide structure, routine and exercise for former military persons. The Gardening Leave web site indicates that “using the ethos of horticultural therapy, veterans will benefit from improving their social skills by engaging them in conversation and improve their personal skills such as appearance, health and fitness” – www.gardeningleave.org
In the US, the VA Hospitals have been utilizing the benefits of horticultural therapy through a variety of programs. There are green houses where veterans can participate in activities. Raised planters allow many of the veterans with disabilities to participate in a wide range of garden related events. Some VA Hospitals have plant nurseries where the Veterans can grow many of the plants that are installed within the community.
Horticultural Therapists have been developing these and other horticulture programs that provide healing for the Veterans and their family members. Programs include activities for Veterans with Alzheimer’s disease, Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD), and other illnesses. The horticulture programs are used to help those individuals who are in need of job training or who may be homeless. There is a great need to focus more attention on this subject in order to increase the number of programs in VA communities.
Alzheimer's Garden
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
We keep reading more and more about how important sunshine is for our health. Low levels of vitamin D double the risk of a heart attack and stroke. Low levels of the sunshine vitamin can increase the chance of developing high blood pressure and chronic blood vessel inflammation. As many as 75% of Americans may not be getting enough vitamin D for optimal health. People who are 50 years or older are more susceptible to this deficiency.
Vitamin D is found in foods, such as sardines, salmon, fortified milk and cereals. Another solution is to sit in the sun for a short time. Some doctors are recommending 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure a few times a week, depending upon a persons skin pigmentation.
A Harvard study discovered that men with the highest level of vitamin D were least likely to have heart attacks. Another study has found that increasing Vitamin D reduces the risk of colorectal cancer, hip fractures, tooth loss and increases muscle strength.
A good way to help increase levels of vitamin D is to spend time in the garden. A Therapeutic Garden that has been specifically designed to encourage people to spend time outside will help people increase their levels of vitamin D. These gardens can encourage socialization and people will want to be outside enjoying each others company and taking in the suns healing rays. This is especially important for older adults who may have lower levels of this important vitamin.
Enjoying nature in the garden
Like your mother said – ‘Eat your vegetables and go play outside.’
Filed under: Aging in place, Alzheimer Residence, Assisted Living, Baby Boomers, Continue Care Retirement Communities, Gardening, Healing Gardens, Horticultural Therapy, Landscape Architecture, Meditation Gardens, Organic gardens, Restorative gardens, Senior Living, Successful Aging, Sustainability, Sustainable design, Therapeutic Gardens, landscape design
A warm early fall evening is the perfect time to experience the garden. In fact, this can be one of the best times to spend time outside re-connecting with nature. The sound of the crickets, a cool breeze, the fragrance of the herbs, a dew settling on the leaves of the plants are just a few of the pleasure that await.
St. Francis Country House celebrated the opening of their garden this week. The garden was completed on Monday and dedicated on Tuesday. In just three days, they have held six events in the garden, including a marketing meeting, luncheon for the residents and a garden party this evening. They are wasting little time taking full advantage of all the garden has to offer.
There was music playing in the background. Refreshments and appetizers made it more special. The temperatures was in the low 70’s. There were a few clouds in the sky and the moon was beginning to shine. The landscape lighting along the walking paths added a mystical quality to the garden. Families were visiting with the grand children. It was the perfect evening.
This is an excellent example of how the garden is used to its full potential. The Therapeutic Garden has been programmed throughout the day for a variety of activities. People would rather spend time outside and if you provide the appropriate setting – “they will come.”
Early fall evening in the garden
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, Restorative gardens, Senior Environment Assessment, Senior Living, Successful Aging, Sustainability, Therapeutic Gardens, landscape design
We know that our interactions with nature can lead to positive results. And public gardens are often discussed as being healing spaces. This thinking has been validated in a recent research study at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach, FL. Dr. Ruth G. McCaffrey at the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University conducted the research project “The Effect of Public Garden Visitation on Mild Depression in the Elderly.”
The results of the study led to the development of a booklet and program called “A Stroll for Well-Being: Garden Walks at the Morikami”. The booklet contains 12 themed guided imagery walks as well as blank pages for journaling. The booklet, in combination with the involvement of a trained therapist, can elevate the use of the healing garden to a higher level. Gardens in senior retirement communities, as well as public gardens, can make great use of this activity.
The link to the study is at:
Spring at the Chicago Botanic Garden
http://www.morikami.org/index.php?submenu=gardens_IMLS&src=gendocs&ref=IMLS&category=Gardens
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
An article in today’s Wall Street Journal, by Raymund Flandez, explores the benefits of employers offering space to start vegetable gardens. The garden is compared to the water cooler where employees gather and share stories. Only, this water cooler is more productive, giving back fresh vegetables for someones time. “The garden is a nice benefit, saving them on their food bills” according to Sheryl Woodhouse-Keese, owner of Twisted Limb Paperworks.
The article explains that “employer-sponsored gardens can be a cheap and easy way to boost workers’ morale, relate better to certain customers and expand a company’s health and wellness program.” This reinforces what we currently know. Gardening is good for us because we get exercise, we are out in the sunshine and we are socializing with others.
The community in full production
To read more of the article, go to – http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125055110227438411.html?mod=djemSB
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 Environment Assessment, Senior Living, Successful Aging, Sustainability, Sustainable design, Therapeutic Gardens, landscape design
Little events can present us with strong messages. I was touring a community garden at Medford Leas, a continuing care retirement community in southern New Jersey, with a friend who is a nurse at a PA hospital. It was Saturday morning and the August heat was creeping towards the 90’s. There were a few people working in their gardens tending to their community garden plots.
The month of August can be a tough time in the garden. We either have too little rain or too much. This is the year of a lot of rain, all through June and July. And, as a result, the weeds are out of control. Plugging away was one gentleman diligently pulling weeds that were threatening the health of the tomatoes, peppers and other plants in this 20′ x 20′ space.
We struck up a conversation with this gentleman. It is always good to talk and share stories. You can learn something new. However, this time, it was not about how best to ‘naturally’ keep bugs from eating the vegetables or other gardening hints. It was, instead, a reminder why gardening is good for all of us. We were surprised to learn that this gardener was 90 years of age. He did not look a day over 80, for sure. His youthful appearance and activities were that of a person who is in very good shape.
His working in the garden reinforces all of the things we have been talking about. Gardening is great exercise and keeps us in shape. We remain socially connected when we are involved in activities with other people. Natural absorption of vitamin D, balancing our circadian rhythms, lowering blood pressure, reducing stress and many other positive aspects of gardening remind us that we need to get outside and play in the soil as often as possible. I could use the help of this young gardener in my own community garden!
Spending time in the garden can keep us young and in good health
Filed under: Aging in place, Alzheimer Residence, Assisted Living, Baby Boomers, Community Gardens, Continue Care Retirement Communities, Gardening, Healing Gardens, Horticultural Therapy, Landscape Architecture, Organic gardens, Restorative gardens, Senior Environment Assessment, Senior Living, Successful Aging, Sustainability, Sustainable design, Therapeutic Gardens, landscape design
Visiting London, I came across a demonstration community garden in St. James Park. The garden has been created to teach people how easy it is to start a garden of their own. The garden is a beautiful and exciting example of how people can garden in small spaces and in urban conditions.
During the second World War, England had a program, like the U.S., that encouraged families to grow their own food. It was called ‘Dig for Victory’. Seventy years later, the National Trust has created a grow-your-own food campaign. It is called ‘Food Glorious Food’ and information can be obtained at www.foodgloriousfood.org.uk
The city of London is serious about encouraging people to start their own gardens. They have been creating public vegetable gardens on some of London’s famous landmarks, including Buckingham Palace. Additional information on the community garden food programs can be found at the Big Lunch web site – www.thebiglunch.com
Community Garden, London
Community Garden
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Contact with plants is directly beneficial to patients recovering from surgery in hospitals. Research conducted by the researchers Seong-Hyun Park and Richard H. Mattson at the Department of Horticulture, Recreation and Forestry at Kansas State University indicates that contact with nature helps to reduce stress, increase positive mood and provide distraction from pain.
“Patients with plants in their rooms had significantly fewer intakes of pain medication, more positive physiological responses (lower blood pressure and heart rate), less pain, anxiety, and fatigue, and better overall positive and higher satisfaction with their recovery rooms than their counterparts in the control group without plants in their rooms.”
So, is you want to help speed the recovery of a patients who have had surgery, bring them a potted plant. The study suggest that potted plants offer the most benefits because they will last longer than cut flowers. Nursing staff have indicated that patients care for their plants by watering and pruning them as well as moving them to better light. The patients with plants in their rooms said that the plants were the most positive part of their room.
Potted plants speed recovery from surgery
