1. Article - http://www.agedcareinsite.com.au/pages/section/article.php?s=Lifestyle&idArticle=23109
Feb/Mar 2012 | Print this story | Send this story to a friend
Small plant ‘towers’ are proving a success at facilities with limited space, writes Megan Stoyles.
Gardening has proven physical, mental and therapeutic benefits for older participants and aged care
facilities are finding extra benefits for their catering budgets.
Crops can be so productive they can contribute to meals - that’s if the fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs
don’t get picked off en route to the kitchen.
Even facilities with limited outdoor space are finding that the two-metre high garden towers, which take up
only 1.15 square metres, can allow “stand-up” gardening for frail residents while producing abundant
flowers, vegetables and herbs.
They can be set up on a level surface, filled with potting mix and watered with a watering can, hose or a
simple drip irrigation system. Families can be involved by bringing in plants or cuttings.
BUPAThomastown and several Villa Maria sites in Victoria are among facilities that have installed a Garsy
freestanding tower – known as a Sensory Tower.
Diversional therapist Jo Bozin, formerly at Villa Maria and now with BUPA Thomastown, says she has had an
abundant summer crop from such a tower garden.
In 2010 she described the success of a Sensory Tower at Villa Maria to a Total Aged Care Dementia and
Recreation Convention on using space and existing resources. “We planted out in November and residents
were eating from it by Christmas,” she told delegates.
“Our garden has fed 42 residents, four meals of silverbeet; the capsicums just keep coming. We’ve had
lettuce all year to garnish, and herbs for our cooking therapy program and aromatherapy sessions.
“Raspberries seem to jump into the mouths of residents as they pass, and the cropping list just goes on and
on! Everything in our garden is edible, except for a couple of violas for colour.
“We dehydrate the herbs that we grow to add to bath bombs for the sensory program, and make beautiful
pestos and dips for Friday’s happy hour using the basil, mint, coriander, dill, and whatever else is required
for the recipe. Pineapple sage is delicious, freshly picked and added with ice to lemonade.
“It is so engaging for the residents to actually pick the fresh herbs, and then to prepare them, knowing that
it will be shared with staff and residents. You learn more about your residents through gardening than
almost anything else.
“Reminiscence sessions just flow without cues or prompts. One of my ladies went out to the courtyard
everyday when the spring onions were mature, picking one or two each time, washing them under the tap
and munching away, being so happy with herself.
“There would not have been this opportunity for her to do this if we didn’t have such an accessible garden
for all to enjoy.”
Bozin told Insite recently: “The Sensory Garden in Thomastown was doing beautifully. It was not at all
knocked around like the other raised garden beds after the hail storm on Christmas Day in Melbourne.
“Most of our tomatoes in the raised beds were totalled, but all the herbs, capsicums, beetroot and spring
onions just soldiered on undisturbed in the tower. Last Thursday we harvested so many herbs that we all
took some home as well as making a great variety of dips for all residents to enjoy in the afternoon as the
weather was gorgeous.
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“Don’t think the kitchen was happy with me though! The residents ate so much that they were not hungry
at tea time. They had the best time and that’s what counts in my book!
“Whatever their size, any facility can fit a Garsy Tower system, and space is no longer a reason to not
have a garden. Everyone in Australia should have one, especially for people with mobility issues!”
The enthusiasm spreads to the top: BUPA Thomastown’s manager Kathryn Russell “loves” the garden. “It
not only makes the residents happy, but also the staff. It creates opportunity to reminisce, as it is like a
visit to nana’s house, where you were always certain to be offered something fresh from the garden.
“I have clear view from my office and I often see residents outside watering, picking, or simply admiring
the sensory garden. I can proudly say that we were the first BUPA home to purchase one and I would
strongly recommend these to other aged care homes. They are low maintenance, and there is always
something lovely to look at, regardless of the season.”
For information on vertical gardens see: www.verticalgardensedennow.com.au
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Vertical gardens take root - Aged Care INsite http://www.agedcareinsite.com.au/_jump/print/article-6311.php?s=Lifes...
2 of 2 16/03/2012 10:29 AM