Gardening isn't just about planting seeds and watching them grow; it can be a profoundly therapeutic activity that can bring back cherished memories and provide a sense of peace and accomplishment. Robert Evans, horticulturalist and owner of Aarrowood Plants and Flowers, knows this firsthand.  For more than 25 years, Robert’s business has provided services to Marjorie P. Lee (MPL) Retirement Community by maintaining beautiful plants and seasonal arrangements in all areas of the campus.  “The residents often share with me how inviting the lounges, living rooms, and common areas are because of the beautiful live plants,” shares Robert.  “It is wonderful when my love for plants is shared and appreciated.”

After years of providing plants for MPL, a resident’s family member asked Robert to consider creating a “horticultural therapy” class for her mother, who had recently had a change of health and needed “a little boost” to lift her spirits.   Robert agreed to spend one-on-one time with her mother, “digging in the dirt.”    Robert recalls, “I knew gardening and arranging flowers was therapeutic for me, and I was eager to see if I could help others.”   The results were noticeable not only to the resident and daughter but also to the community’s leadership team. Megan Bradford, Episcopal Retirement Services Vice President of Middle Market and Ministry, was the Administrator at the time when Robert began his one-on-one sessions with a resident. 

Michelle Cole, the service coordinator, and Megan could see positive changes in the resident’s outlook and quality of life sharing,  “It made us think about how Robert’s horticultural therapy could help many residents.  We asked Robert to adapt his sessions to a group class.”   Overtime, Robert’s sessions have become a key part of ERS’ Suite of Memory Support Therapies. During Robert’s group sessions at Marjorie Lee, he has grown to know the residents quite well.  "Playing in the dirt is therapeutic," he says. "It's amazing how engaging with plants can bring so many memories to the forefront.  It is fun to observe a session and hear where the conversation flows based on a memory or scent.  Plants and flowers can take you back to a time you may have forgotten.”

It doesn’t matter if a resident has a deep love for plants and flowers to reap the harvest of horticultural therapy.  Even residents who have no experience in the garden warm up to the activity overtime.  Robert shares that during one session, he was surprised to hear what memories were stirred by his program. Residents had planted wheat grass around daffodils commenting that the wheat grass smells just like freshly cut grass on a summer day.  One resident also shared a memory of being a child and having the chore of cutting grass.  She lamented with her neighbors in the group how much she disliked cutting grass!  For others, the smell brought memories of enjoying lemonade on the porch. They had a great time sharing and reminiscing about pieces of their lives based on enjoying time around plantings.

The Benefits of Horticultural Therapy

Anyone who has worked in a garden knows it’s great exercise, but its benefits go far beyond physical activity. According to research published in the Journal of Housing for the Elderly, gardening offers numerous practical and subtle advantages for older adults.  Authors Donna Wang and Allen Glicksman highlight that horticultural therapy can:

• Lessen an individual’s sense of loss.

• Provide opportunities for creativity, self-expression, and social interaction.

• Offer sensory stimulation and improve self-esteem.

• Enhance fine and gross motor skills and improve eye-hand coordination.

Gardening is both mentally and physically stimulating, making it cognitively protective. Recent studies even suggest that gardening could cut the risk of dementia in half by improving brain volume and boosting memory and cognition.  For those already living with Alzheimer’s, gardening can help manage symptoms.  Even those with limited mobility can reap the rewards of being in nature.  Studies show that just 10 to 15 minutes of daily exposure to fresh air and sunshine can lead to significant health benefits, including increased vitamin D production, better bone and muscle health, and improved sleep patterns.  “Sometimes we take it for granted being outside, but people that need memory support don’t have as much access to being outside independently.” 

With this in mind, Robert holds his classes outside at MPL when possible so that residents can enjoy the fresh air and birds chirping, which also helps spur memories.

It Takes a Village

What sets Marjorie P. Lee Retirement Community apart is its holistic approach to dementia care.  In addition to enlisting the help of our partners, like Robert, to offer innovative therapies like SAIDO, Java Music, Health Rhythms, and horticultural therapy, they also have all staff members, from administrators to groundskeepers, receive training in dementia care.

Tracie Martella, Care Team Manager, shares, "Working with residents and seeing how these therapies enrich their lives has been incredibly rewarding.  The leadership's commitment to training everyone to understand dementia demonstrates our dedication to providing the best possible care."

Anthony Williams, Administrator, emphasizes, "Understanding dementia is part of everyone's role at MPL.  It's crucial that every team member, whether in accounting, marketing, dining, or housekeeping, knows how to interact compassionately and effectively with our residents."  

The Benefits of Comprehensive Staff Training in Memory Care

Training all staff members in memory care is essential for fostering an environment of compassion, understanding, and effective communication for individuals experiencing memory loss.  This inclusive approach ensures that every team member, regardless of their role, has the knowledge and skills to recognize the unique needs of residents with dementia or cognitive impairments.  The benefits are multifaceted: it enhances the overall well-being of residents by promoting positive interactions that respect their dignity and individuality, reduces incidents of confusion and distress, and facilitates smoother day-to-day operations within the community.  Well-trained team members are also better equipped to support the families of residents, providing them with peace of mind and a sense of partnership in their loved ones' care journey.  Ultimately, this training cultivates a nurturing atmosphere that prioritizes the emotional and psychological health of all residents, thereby enriching the quality of life within the community.

Robert shared, “One of the most beautiful things I see within Marjorie P. Lee is the love and compassion for the residents.”  Part of this comes from understanding what happens when someone has a cognitive loss. Understanding creates empathy and compassion.  “The team members are interested in helping the residents no matter their position.”

Investing in comprehensive staff training in memory care not only enhances the quality of care provided but also yields significant business benefits.  A well-trained team can improve resident satisfaction and retention, as families are more likely to choose and recommend a facility where staff are knowledgeable and compassionate.  Additionally, effective training reduces staff turnover by fostering a supportive work environment where employees feel empowered and competent in their roles.  

Training all staff on memory support topics also allows team members to develop deep and meaningful relationships with residents on a personal level.  Staff members are invited to help with the resident’s cognitive therapy after receiving specialized training.  Arlan Graham, ERS’ Creative Director, has worked at the Support Services Office for over 10 years.  Once a week, Arlan steps away from creating beautiful ads, brochures, and other artist pieces for the marketing team to have one-on-one time with a few residents, helping them with their cognitive therapy.  “It is hard to believe, but I actually get paid to have an hour of quality time with residents and hear stories about their families and their amazing lives,” shares Arlan.  “I believe it shows the organization’s commitment to our residents, and it certainly enriches my job and is very rewarding.”  Arlan’s relationship with the residents helps him better represent the culture and resident experience through his creative design. 

Like Arlan, Robert shares, “Working in the horticultural therapy program has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. It fuels my ability to help people.  I’ve seen firsthand how engaging with plants not only brings joy to our residents but also fosters meaningful connections.”  Playing in the dirt might seem like a little thing, but Robert sees things differently, having formed rich friendships over the years with residents.  Speaking of his involvement and the care he sees the team provide, he shares,  “It’s the little things that aren’t so little.”

Smart and Compassionate

Robert's long-standing partnership with the Marjorie P. Lee Retirement Community is a testament to the shared commitment to excellence in memory care.  "As a person that gets a view “behind the curtain” as a partner, Marjorie P. Lee Retirement Community stands out for its exceptional care and investment in understanding dementia.”  Not all retirement communities and memory care households can say that every team member is trained to work directly and interact with the residents as they do at Marjorie P. Lee.  “It is not a surprise to me, however.  It has been a beautiful match.  They value the program as much as me.  You don’t get to be a Top Workplace for 15 years running like MPL without caring for your residents and team members.  Their approach is both smart and compassionate," Robert notes.

If you have a loved one experiencing cognitive loss, consider exploring the benefits of a community dedicated to supporting and enhancing the lives of those living with dementia.  For more information on our programs, contact Marjorie Lee Retirement Community today or visit our website. Together, we can make a difference and provide support, one garden at a time.