Elderly Living Centers is an area of our community that is sometimes overlooked.  Sometimes these residents do not receive many visitors and facilities are always looking for guest speakers.  With these two reasons in mind, the horticulture agent contacted Cedar Ridge Health Campus to see about doing a program with the residents.  After a visit and contact with the Activity Director, monthly programs were scheduled for the first Wednesday of each month.

Each month a program is developed to accomplish three specific purposes: increase dexterity and hand movement, learn and discuss a horticulture topic, discuss and encourage healthy eating based on what fruit or vegetable is locally available during that month.

Each month’s program includes a short horticulture lesson such as growing pumpkins in Kentucky, an activity to promote hand-eye coordination such as painting pumpkins, and a healthy snack such as a SNAP-Ed recipe for healthy pumpkin bread.  Participation numbers fluctuate from month to month.   It is voluntary for residents to participate, so some days numbers are lower than others due to participants not feeling well.  Each month allows participants to come out of their room, socialize, interact with me, the nurses, and other residents.  Each lesson encourages movement of hands and inspires healthy eating.  

There are plans to continue to offer a monthly program.  Future programs include planting vegetables and flowers in the raised beds outside at the center.