Memory Care: National Gardening Month

Gardening is potentially a “long-term” memory for VITALA® residents with dementia. Many of residents grew up in areas where it was common to have your own garden and some even grew up on farms. The act of gardening brings back memories and skills residents didn’t even know they still had. Growing up in Ohio, residents understand how precious it is to enjoy the nice weather while you can. So, the time spent outdoors in a garden often brings back precious memories and feelings from when they were younger.

It is beneficial to connect individuals living with dementia to their long-term memories. Connecting residents to their long-term memories helps them to rediscover their purpose. These simple tasks, that may seem easy to those without dementia, make those with dementia feel like they are more capable and confident. These long-term memories connect them to a time where they were safe and young can also help instill the same good feelings in their new home.

Here at VITALIA Active Adult Community® – Solon in Solon, OH to celebrate and participate in National Gardening month we have already planted seeds in individual pots for each resident and are becoming more excited as we continue to plan what our garden will look like come spring. With some warmer weather, we have already gone out to clean and work as a group to organize. Some residents have already taken on tasks in the garden and are excited to get out and get to work!