Gardening effort lends itself to cross-community programing

RED OAK – Cross-community programming is easier said than done – unless dirt and flowers are involved. This spring, independent living residents from Arabella of Red Oak’s Green Thumb Club pulled their fellow neighbors in memory care, The Cottage, along for the dig, and the courtyard got a full bloom-by-bloom makeover.

Side by side, residents planted flowers, worked the soil, and traded stories – and the results speak for themselves. Visiting Angels provided refreshments and the flowers residents planted, lending additional support to a morning that turned the courtyard into a blooming showcase of what cross-community programming can do.

Research backs what Arabella of Red Oak already puts into practice. A study published by Root in Nature found that gardening activities improve physical strength, cognitive function, and social interaction in older adults – with benefits extending even to those experiencing dementia symptoms.

“Watching our residents across different care levels come together through gardening is one of the most rewarding things we get to be part of,” said Priscilla Gomez, activities director of Arabella of Red Oak. “There is something about putting your hands in the soil alongside someone else that opens people up in ways other activities simply don’t. We are so grateful to Visiting Angels for making this day even more beautiful.”

For more information, visit Arabella of Red Oak’s website.