Developing a Hands-On

Gardening Program

Lori Presser, BSHA, ACC/EDU, CDP, CMP, CEAL, MDEC

Objectives:

Participants will be provided with

resources to provide a year-round

ongoing gardening program for

residents in senior living settings.

Participants will learn the benefits of a

gardening program.

Participants will learn about the benefits

of air plants and will create an air plant

to take away.

F639 Activities

The facility must provide, based on the comprehensive assessment and care plan and the preferences of each resident, an ongoing program to support residents in their choice of activities, both facility-sponsored group and individual activities and independent activities, designed to meet the interests of and support the physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident, encouraging both independence and interaction in the community.

483.24 (c) Intent: To ensure that facilities implement an ongoing resident centered activities program that incorporates the resident’s interests, hobbies and cultural preferences which is integral to maintaining and/or improving a resident’s physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being and independence. To create opportunities for each resident to have a meaningful life by supporting his/her domains of wellness (security, autonomy, growth, connectedness, identity, joy, and meaning.)

F636483.20 Resident Assessment

The facility must conduct initially and periodically a comprehensive, accurate, standardized reproducible assessment of each resident’s functional capacity.

483.20(b)(1) Resident Assessment Instrument. A facility must make a comprehensive assessment of a resident’s needs, strengths, goals, life history and preferences, using the resident assessment instrument (RAI) specified by CMS. The assessment must include at least the following:

Identification and demographic information

Customary routine.

Cognitive patterns.

Communication.

Vision.

Mood and behavior patterns.

Psychological well-being.

Physical functioning and structural problems.

Continence.

Disease diagnosis and health conditions.

Dental and nutritional status.

Skin Conditions.

Activity pursuit.

Medications.

Special treatments and procedures.

Discharge planning.

Documentation of summary information regarding the additional assessment performed on the care areas triggered by the completion of the Minimum Data Set (MDS).

Documentation of participation in assessment. The assessment process must include direct observation and communication with the resident, as well as communication with licensed and non-licensed direct care staff members on all shifts.

F-Tag 636 Continued

Benefits of Gardening for Seniors

Health Benefits of Gardening for Seniors

Gardening gives us fresh air and helps us connect with the environment.

But, did you know there are also health benefits as we watch those flowers

grow?

Gardening relieves stress.

Gardening increases serotonin levels.

Gardening boosts the immune system.

Gardening is good exercise.

Gardening may lower the risk of dementia.

Working On the Garden in the

Winter Months

Winter Gardening Projects

Forced bulbs

Wheat berry planters

Succulents/house plants

Air plants

Inside herbs

Succulents- “Sipping with Succulents”

Speakers from 4-H, Gardening Centers, dieticians on vegetables

Bread dipping with herbs

Looking at plans from bulbs planted in the spring

Collecting/Prepping egg cartons-

Planning with

your residents

Have a session to plan the garden-layout--

Supplies needed:Library books/magazines

Seed catalogs

Chalk board- or large paper to diagram out the garden

Determine what type of plants- are they in the correct zones? Allow Residents to run

Determine planting schedule

Determine watering schedule

Determine weeding schedule

Have contracted landscaper or maintenance in on the “plans”

Additional Activities to prep for Gardening program

Arts and Crafts can make the markers for

each type of plants or vegetables

Paint pots to have ready for planting

Fundraisers for gardening supplies

Donations for gardening supplies

Cooking club planning meals with

vegetables

Contact local garden centers for

donation of shelving

Supplies needed

Gloves for residents

Table covering- cheap plastic

Hand shovels

Planting soil

Packing popcorn/Rocks for drainage if needed

To start seeds – containers- egg shells- pre-made- egg cartons

Watering cans- misters- hoses-water

Ohio Seed Guide

Seed Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECibetK2EYI

Starting seeds indoors

Walmart

$24.99

Planting Seeds

Organizing

Seeds/Seed

Books

Using Fresh foods to begin seeds

Starting Seeds

within Resident

Rooms

Window

Greenhouse

Equipment

Vertical gardens

Raised Gardens

Indoor and Outdoor

Different types of planting

Potatoes

Tomato

Flowers

Garden carts

GardensLarge flowerpots for wheelchair accessibility

Name plates for resident garden- volunteer buddy gardens

Life of a

Strawberry Plant

Herb Projects

Discuss each herb- whole session

Plant the herbs by seed or plant

Choose herbs for recipes and plan for cooking club

Homemade sauces

Dry herbs to use in future

Decorate the dining areas with fresh herb plants

Watering schedule

Craft projects

Community outing to herb farm/herb store

Individual Gardens

Succulents

Fairy Gardens

Zen gardens

Individual gardening projects

Garden

Steppingstones

Community

outings

Local garden center to pick out seeds or plants

Trip to take a tour of the garden center

Botanical gardens

Wheelchair accessible parks

Home Depot- garden center

Local garden clubs- adult and children’s groups

Hayrides

Local Farmers Markets

Additional Activities

Vegetables/House plant cart for 1:1 visits- include watering

can- gloves

Cactus education

Photography club

Beekeepers education

Arts and crafts with flowers and leaves

Pressed flowers

Home Depot volunteers

Husking corn for meals- cooking club

Summer

gardening

Sunscreen

Decorate sun hats in crafts

Watering in early am/ early pm

Hydration cart

Cooking group recipes used

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

Butterflies-

Bringing nature

in!

Fall gardening

Cut sunflowers to

create bird feeders

Bulbs to be put into

pots or into the ground

Fall leaves

Pinecones

Acorns

The Benefits of

Air Plants

Remove Toxins, Purify Your Home

Look Better, Feel Better!

Reduce Pollen Allergies

Keep Calm and Buy an Air Plant!

Get More Creative and Productive!

How to take care of an air plant

Light

Temperature

Water

Trimming

Pups

Air Plants

Making your

Air Plant

Globe for plant-

acrylic or glass

Base

Plant

Additions