VMCH’s appeal Growing Together to stimulate the senses
Moving into residential aged care can be a challenging time for many, particularly for those who leave behind a garden cultivated through a lifetime of joy and love.
Beryl, aged 84, joined for-purpose organisation VMCH’s Wantirna aged care home, 24km southeast of Melbourne's CBD, last year.
While she’s enjoying her new life and friendships, what she does miss is her garden.
“I loved all my different coloured roses and my magnolia tree. My daughter, who’s an avid gardener, would always say, ‘Mum, I’m so proud of you having all these plants’.”
With this in mind, VMCH has launched its latest fundraising appeal, Growing Together, to help aged care residents like Beryl reconnect with their love of gardening, and connect with each other.
“We hope to raise $90,000 for a sensory garden at our Wantirna residence, featuring fruit and veggie patches, potting and tool sheds, beautiful flower beds, and even chickens!” says CEO Sonya Smart. “The benefits of sensory gardens are widely known, particularly for those living with dementia. They support cognitive function, boost emotional and physical wellbeing, and stimulate the five senses. However, one of the most important aspects of the garden will be the opportunity for residents to connect with a shared purpose, forming new friendships and helping to reduce social isolation.”
As part of the program, aged care lifestyle teams are excited at the prospect of starting individual and group workshops, for gardening, planting, maintenance, woodwork skills and harvesting.
Beryl says having a sensory garden would be a “blessing”. “When we (residents) are all together, we will make a beautiful garden.”
Resident Graeme says he’d love the opportunity to grow vegetables in the garden.
“Before I came here, I had a nice garden in the backyard – vegetables mainly. I’d get the vegetables ready for mum, who cooked the most magnificent roast. I would absolutely love a sensory garden. It would bring the people who don’t get out as much into the garden, and they can get involved in it.”
Sonya says the Wantirna sensory garden will be a pilot program.
“While we do enjoy maintaining lovely gardens at our aged care residences, special projects like this require community support,” she said. “Once successfully established, we hope to roll this out at our other aged care homes, bringing joy to hundreds more residents across Victoria.”
If you would like to make a donation to the Growing Together appeal, call 1300 698 624 or visit www.vmch.com.au/donate
