Gardening for Cognitive Health

Gardening is a great way for seniors to feel a sense of purpose, gain a renewed appreciation for nature, and grow something beautiful to enjoy. Its also a fantastic way to stay active. Not everyone has the space or ability to maintain a large garden, which is where patio gardening comes into play. With these seven tips, you can create a beautiful and manageable garden right on your own patio!Start small: If youre new to gardening, we suggest beginning with a small garden that is easy to manage. Choose a few plants that are low maintenance and require minimal effort, and grow from there.Use containers: One of the biggest advantages of patio gardening is the ability to maintain your plants in containers easily. This allows you to control the soil quality, water levels, and sunlight exposure for each plant. Plus, it makes it easier to move your plants around as needed for optimal growth. You can even get creative with your containers by using repurposed items like old buckets or teapots.Ensure proper drainage: Look for containers that are the right size for your plants and have adequate drainage holes to prevent overwatering or waterlogged soil, which can lead to root rot. Also, use a good-quality potting mix with good drainage properties.Choose the right plants: It's important to choose plants that are well-suited for container gardening and can thrive in the limited space and conditions of a patio. Look for plants that are labeled as "patio" or "container" varieties, and consider factors like sunlight, water needs, and temperature tolerance. Some great options include herbs, succulents, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, and flowers like marigolds, petunias, and geraniums.Provide sufficient sunlight & water: Most plants require at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Make sure your patio garden is located in a spot that receives adequate sunlight. Container plants dry out faster than plants in the ground, so youll need to check the soil regularly and water as needed to ensure your plants are moist but not waterlogged.Use the right tools: The best gardening tools for seniors offer lightweight materials, ergonomic shape or design, longer handles, and electric or automated features. These tools can help reduce strain on joints and muscles and make gardening enjoyable. If you need new tools, Amazon has a great list of senior-friendly gardening supplies!Ask for help: Don't hesitate to ask for help from friends or family members if needed. Gardening can be a fun social activity, and sharing the workload can make it more enjoyable. In fact, gardening is a favorite pastime for many residents at Resort Lifestyle Community. Here are a few recent highlights.Many of our communities love growing plants and nurturing friendships along the way. If this sounds like a lifestyle youd love, contact Stone River Retirement Community today. Wed enjoy the opportunity to welcome you!

For active seniors on the move, the best indoor plants are the ones that require very little maintenance. The kinds of plants that can complement the dcor of any senior apartment, but wont lose their beauty if the resident decides to embark on a last-minute getaway. Whether you have a green thumb or brown thumb, these delightful indoor house plants will elevate your space without the burdens of constant care.Low-Maintenance Indoor Plants1.PothosStarting the list is the perfect starter for any apartment. The pothos is one of the most durable indoor plants you can find. They require very little water and can thrive in limited sunlight. However, they do grow best in partial sunlight next to a window. All types of pothos are vine plants with large deep-green leaves. Other types such as Devils Ivy Pothos have a mixture of light and dark green leaves, and some even bloom beautiful, colorful flowers. Whichever type you prefer, pothos lend an airy, flowy, green freshness to any room in your apartment.2. PhilodendronLike the pothos, the philodendron is perfect for hanging pots because of their long vines that can grow up to 10 feet. Also like the pothos, its among the most durable, low-light indoor plants that require little water. Philodendron are also very easy to prune and propagate (planting a new plant from the stem or leaf of a parent plant), so you can practically create a jungle of philodendron in your apartment.3. Snake PlantThe snake plant is a highly popular indoor plant for two reasons. Firstly, snake plants maintain their stiff posture and vibrancy even after weeks of neglect in low light. Secondly, snake plants are very efficient air purifiers making them an ideal plant for senior apartment homes.4. ZZ PlantThe Zamioculcas zamifolia, or ZZ plant, is a beautiful and hearty green plant thats said to symbolize prosperity. But what makes it one of the best indoor house plants is that its drought-tolerant and low-maintenance. Its thick stalks store lots of water, so much so that you only have to water it once or twice per month.Lots of Love PlantsFor those who want to cultivate a green thumb and dont mind putting in a bit of extra work, these are some of the best indoor plants that thrive with a little TLC.5. Peace LilyThe Peace Lily is the perfect plant for taking indoor greenery to the next level. It requires slightly more attention than other indoor plants, but can bloom beautiful results. It prefers constant moisture, but hates to be over- watered, and grows best in a bright but shady spot near a window. Its lovely white flowers do carry pollen, so it may not be for those with allergies.6. GardeniaThe delightfully potent gardenia can be frustrating to deal with due to its high maintenance nature. However, its vibrant white flowers and elegant shape are well worth the effort. Gardenias love being surrounded by bright light without sitting directly in it. Theyre also particular about their soil acidity, preferring soils with a lower pH level. Further, they thrive when soil is consistently moist, but their leaves will brown and wilt if directly exposed to water.7. Fiddle Leaf FigThe Fiddle Leaf Fig is native to the rainforests of central Africa. So, as you can imagine, they prefer a humid, warm, bright environment. Place them away from any vents or drafty areas and make sure they have plenty of direct sunlight. They also need frequent watering and misting to mimic their natural humid habitat.8. Moth OrchidWhile not the easiest plant to grow in an apartment, certain kinds of orchids can thrive indoors. The phalaenopsis, or Moth Orchid, is unlike other orchids in that it blooms year-round. It requires consistent moisture and tends to absorb water quickly, so youll need to monitor the il carefully. Orchids also prefer to be up against windows to maximize indirect light exposure. With proper care, theyre the perfect pop of color for any senior apartment.Honorable Mention: Simple SucculentsIf you love having house plants in your apartment dacor, but dont want the burden, succulents may be your best option. Theyre the easiest, most adorable indoor plants you can find. Their resilience and adaptability make them ideal for a senior apartment home whose owners like to be out and about. Theyre the ideal low-maintenance, long-living indoor plant that can elevate any rooms dacor. These are the trendiest succulents you can find today:Burros TailFlaming KatyJade PlantAloe VeraPincushion CactusDudleyaZwartkopHens-and-ChicksZebra Plant

Every individual grieves differently following the loss of a loved one. There is not one right way to navigate the overwhelming and complicated emotions that accompany bereavement.When it comes to grieving children, the emotions they experience are even more difficult to work through because they lack the maturity to fully express their feelings. One outlet that has been known to offer unique support throughout the grieving process is interaction with nature.There are numerous aspects that make nature, specifically gardens, an ideal environment for navigating grief, such as its cyclical traits. When spending time in gardens, children can experience the seasons and life-death cycle. They can witness growth, life and comfort but also come to understand dormancy, death and some of the less pleasant changes that occur in nature.All of these features create a special and meaningful foundation for children to navigate the grieving process. Gardens offer positive, peaceful emotional outlets, opportunities for memory reinforcement, social interaction and stress reduction. Through learning the characteristics of nature, children can build self-efficacy, improve creativity and engage in reflection.Horticulture therapy allows for interactive healing opportunities that are not easily experienced through other means. This unique type of therapy uses plants as tools to help individuals through the restoration process. By participating in garden-based activities such as planting and caring for plants children can release stress through positive means and better understand the cyclical nature of life.In order to bring this remarkable form of healing to the thousands of grieving children in northern Colorado, Pathways has embarked on a new initiative to build the Childrens Healing Garden on the east side of its Fort Collins location. This Garden will include several unique features, such as an oversized birds nest with an eggs seating area, vine tunnels, memory gardens, mandalas and more.The Garden will be a public facility for use by everyone in the community, young and old. The therapy gardens bring to the grieving process is helpful for both children and older adults. The Garden will be used in collaboration with other community agencies, including The Growing Project, 3Hopeful Hearts and the Alliance for Suicide Prevention to bring hope and healing to children in our community. There are many volunteer opportunities available through Pathways as well, information about volunteering and the Childrens Healing Garden by visiting the website at pathways-care.org.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Tammy Brannen-Smith, LCSW. Tammy Brannen-Smith is the Director of Pathways for Grief and Loss with Pathways and may be reached at 970-292-1072 or by email at tammy.brannen-smith@pathways-care.org