Horticultural Therapy
At Silverado Senior Living communities, residents are encouraged to participate in Horticultural Therapy. According to the American Horticultural Therapy Association, "Horticultural Therapy is a process utilizing plants and horticultural activities to improve the social, educational, psychological, and physical adjustment of persons thus improving their body, mind and spirits." The outcomes listed below are defined by this nationally recognized association:
Cognitive growth by:
- Providing educational development as a result of learning new skills and vocabulary.
- Increasing concentration and attention span.
- Improving the ability to work independently as a result of following directions and solving problems.
- Encouraging creativity.
Psychological well-being by:
- Providing the opportunity to nurture something living, encouraging a sense of usefulness and responsibility.
- Providing a chance to complete a project, which fosters self-esteem.
- Relieving stress, anger and aggressiveness.
- Physical rehabilitation by:
- Furnishing the motive to exercise as well as improving and maintaining fine and gross motor agility.
Social development by:
- Exposing participants to group dynamics through sharing and working together.
- Fostering social interaction.
In a judgmental world, plants are non-threatening and non-discriminating. They are living entities that respond directly to the care that is given them, not to the intellectual or physical capacities of the gardener. In short, they provide a benevolent setting in which a person can take the first steps toward confidence!
