Cooperative Extension has provided educational outreach to residents and staff at a skilled nursing facility in Rowan County a number of times over the years. Efforts have included landscaping consultations and working with leaders to bring therapy dogs to interact with facility residents. In a new program effort, extension provided leadership, financial support, and educational resources to establish a small garden used by residents. The Rowan County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) initiated efforts with staff at Life Care Center of Morehead to develop the garden. The facility provided the space, materials, and labor to build raised beds accessible by residents in wheelchairs. The residents need cognitive, physical, psychological and social challenges to maintain their mental and physical health. Working with the activities director, extension is planning on engaging residents in weekly programs. Between programs, residents have the opportunity to maintain the garden using the suggested activities provided by Extension. To date, Extension has conducted a program that encouraged participants to share through storytelling their memories of gardening in an effort stimulate long term memory cognitive skills. Residents have increased physical activity by tending the garden and several have recalled farm and garden experiences from the past. 

Activities Director reports on improvements in cognitive behaviors: Focus on tasks?Mulittask?