Residential Services does a lot to ensure that the residents feel right at home. The staff engages them to create the environment that they way. What started out as one flower has turned into an ever expanding garden that the residents of all our homes contribute to caring for.
It all began 3 years ago when staff took an individual out for breakfast and she appeared to be fascinated by a white basket of flowers, the next week we took her to a local greenhouse. We took her into building after building and every time she would go straight to the white flowers and talk to them. We purchased a small white petunia and planted it near the window for her to watch.That week, other individuals noticed the flower and asked if they could have one as well. Staff decided to have the individuals talk about what plants they would like and learn little facts about them, they each chose a pot and a flower with the understanding that it was their responsibility to tend to the plant. They did a wonderful job, all of the plants were big and beautiful that year! The following winter we began a discussion about the garden for the next year. Everyone had input on the house garden and they all agreed about most aspects of it. They decided to try vegetables as well as the flowers and decided on tomatoes. The following spring while they were getting everything ready for planting the markers indicating what plant was what were “misplaced”. We knew that we had ten different types of tomatoes however we did not know who had what so we decided to have the individuals observe the differences in the leaves and the shapes and try to guess what each variety was. At the end of the season when they all guessed the types of tomato they had they were each correct! Turns out someone took the markers but knew exactly what was there!
The next year the other homes were invited to participate in the garden, everyone gathered for a planting party and at the end of the season we all got together to share the bounty of are harvest.This year, with the pandemic, we decided to plant a plant for each individual and tend to them until they can visit. We try to improve things every year, with over 40 plants to tend to, this year we picked a different project. After watching some DIY shows they all seemed happy with the idea of an enchanted tree. We spent some time gathering bits and pieces for the tree and one by one they all picked lanterns and where they wanted to put them on the tree. As you can see they did a great job, so good in fact that we are currently adding lights to each of the flower pots in the front.
