Exercise and Activity for residents of assisted living centers is a necessity for good health. Residents often enjoy have day to day task and these routines can be apart of an exercise regiment that promotes mobility and wards off obesity.  Additionally, assisted living centers often operate on tight budgets and are constantly looking for sources of healthy food at an affordable price.

The Hancock County Cooperative Extension Service, Audubon Area Community Services and local businesses all partnered to aid The Oaks assisted living center in building a raised bed garden. Residents provided labor and completed team  activities in the construction of the garden.  Local volunteers and Agents oversaw the project and provided instruction where needed

Exercise and Activity for residents of assisted living centers is a necessity for good health. Residents often enjoy have day to day task and these routines can be apart of an exercise regiment that promotes mobility and wards off obesity.  Additionally, assisted living centers often operate on tight budgets and are constantly looking for sources of healthy food at an affordable price.

The Hancock County Cooperative Extension Service, Audubon Area Community Services and local businesses all partnered to aid The Oaks assisted living center in building a raised bed garden. Residents provided labor and completed team  activities in the construction of the garden.  Local Master Gardeners and Agents oversaw the project and provided instruction where needed. This garden now  provides residents with an opportunity to have a structured work schedule with assigned task that they might receive needed exercise and outdoor activity. Residents have taken ownership of the garden and show enthusiasm toward accomplishing task. In addition to the needed exercise, residents are now helping with the cost burden of suppling food to the center.

Staff at The Oaks have noted that residents show a higher degree of motivation for completing the outside activities are have taken ownership of the task. They also enjoy being able to consume what they grow.  Furthermore the budget is in better shape due to the production of the vegetables. In the midst of Covid, the garden lessened outside traffic from food vendors into the facility and was noted as a mitigation tool for exposure to the virus.

 This garden now  provides residents with an opportunity to have a structured work schedule with assigned task that they might receive needed exercise and outdoor activity. Residents have taken ownership of the garden and show enthusiasm toward accomplishing task. In addition to the needed exercise, residents are now helping with the cost burden of suppling food to the center.

As a result of experience, The Oaks is now purchasing plants that they prefer for the garden and have seen the financial benefit of growing their own food. This is done in accordance with the Hancock County Cooperative Extension Service, but greater ownership has been taken on the care of the garden. Supervision and advice are readily available when needed.

Staff at The Oaks have noted that residents show a higher degree of motivation for completing the outside activities are have taken ownership of the task. They also enjoy being able to consume what they grow.  Furthermore the budget is in better shape due to the production of the vegetables.

Residents have now learned skills needed to successfully plant and maintain gardens. They have begun showing independence regrading timely chores and are completing task with less directive.  Upon completion of the second year of instruction, Residents can now identify crops and are able to better understand desired planting dates, management and pest control.  Additionally, staff members have sought out additional information to better utilize produce in their daily meal plans for the residents.