Elizabeth Seton residents can now enjoy increased active outdoors time thanks to a grant of $2,300 from the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club (WHJWC) in support of an Adaptive Gardening Initiative. This wheelchair accessible program allows residents of the skilled nursing and rehabilitation center to engage in gardening opportunities and the enjoyment of home-grown vegetables and flowers.
Gardeners of all ages and fitness levels get it—sometimes those flowers we want to plant, those weeds that need pulling, just seen so very, very far away. Maybe, on a good day, we can get down there on ground level to commune with the nature. But will we ever get up? Knees, hips, back all have a say, and the answer isn’t always favorable.
So instead of the gardener going to the ground, why not bring the ground to the gardener? With raised beds purchased with the grant money, that’s exactly what the Elizabeth Seton staff did. Seniors now have another avenue through which they can remain active, connected, and productive while also achieving a sense of achievement, purpose, and tranquility.
“Nurturing plants helps maintain existing skills that provide pleasure and confidence at a time when memory loss or physical decline can affect people’s self-esteem,” Executive Director & CEO Lori Ferrante said. “Gardening has emerged as a powerful therapeutic tool that promotes socialization, physical exercise, and activity engagement while enhancing mood and stimulating multiple senses.”
Past grants to Elizabeth Seton Residence from the WHJWC include funding an accessible games table, patio furniture for residents’ comfort and safety, big-screen television sets for the resident living rooms, and a digital wireless sound system. Ferrante adds, “We are most grateful for the Juniors’ generosity and commitment to Elizabeth Seton Residence. They are an amazing group of women whose support enhances the enjoyment our residents glean from everyday activities that benefit the body, mind and spirit.”
About the Elizabeth Seton Residence
Celebrating its 40th year of service to the community, the Elizabeth Seton Residence is a Catholic, not-for-profit skilled nursing and rehabilitation center offering short-term rehabilitation and long-term care in Wellesley, MA. As a ministry of the Sisters of Charity (Halifax) they are deeply committed to delivering quality person-centered care in a welcoming environment that meets the physical, spiritual, psychological and cultural needs of their residents and families. The Elizabeth Seton Residence is proud of their 5-Star quality status, high satisfaction ratings and quality measures that consistently meet or exceed state and national standards.
If you would like more information, please contact Judy Coogan at 781-997-1351or jcoogan@schalifax.org
