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, assited 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 buisnesses 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 ided instruction where needed. This garden now  provides residents with an opportunity to have a structured work schedule with assigned task that they might recieve needed exercise and outdoor activity. Residents have taken ownership of the garden and show enthusiam 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 activites 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.