Memory Care: National Gardening Month

Gardening is potentially a “long-term” memory for Kingsland Walk residents with dementia. Many residents are from the farming generation. On every farm was a large garden which was a necessity to support the needs of the family. For memory care residents, gardening is a treasured memory from their past. They enjoyed being outside working the dirt, reaping the fruits of their labor from the garden, and helping their families live and survive.

It is beneficial to connect individuals living with dementia to their long-term memories. Being able to relive those moments of joy and purpose allows residents to have a sense of value. Tuning into those long-term memories is also another tool our staff can use to engage with the residents. Activities, such as gardening, often lead to interesting stories from the past, sparked by the activity itself. It is very gratifying for the resident to be able to complete tasks from the past and recall memories associated with that task.

Here at Kingsland Walk Senior Living University City, MO to celebrate and participate in National Gardening month we will be soliciting advice from one of the residents who was a “master gardener.” Along with her ideas we will also be working with our resident services director to plant vegetables, herbs, and flowers. The residents are looking forward to another beautiful garden to enjoy throughout the spring, summer, and fall.