Memory Care: National Gardening Month

Gardening is potentially a “long-term” memory for our residents with dementia. The process of gardening usually begins indoors, starting the seeds. The move outdoors for planting provides a sensory experience that stimulates all the senses, which in turn often brings back happy memories. Many residents grew up helping their parents grow their own vegetables and flowers, they then followed the tradition. It was a way of life for them. Bringing back those memories through gardening is priceless, not just the act of gardening, but the conversations that take place during the time spent.

It is beneficial to connect individuals living with dementia to their long-term memories. There are so many benefits to connecting memories with individuals living with dementia. It brings happiness, gives them a sense of purpose, and increases socialization. Connecting long-term memories with individuals with dementia helps decrease anxiety, agitation, and behaviors.

Here at VITALIA Senior Residences® at Strongsville in Strongsville, OH to celebrate and participate in National Gardening month we’re going to start off by watching and discussing the different types of gardens. We will also be doing crafts throughout the month using dried flowers and leaves, and painting pots that are going to be used. We will choose what we want to plant while having conversations and looking through catalogs and magazines. There is nothing quite like getting your hands dirty planting seeds and watching them grow.