Streamway garden tells a story
Activity therapeutic for residents, staff
Friday April 4, 2008 -- Natalie Miller
The sign of crocuses poking up through the soil resembles more than simply a sign spring is on its way at Streamway Villa in Cobourg.

For staff and residents, it holds the promise of an opportunity to get outdoors, get their hands dirty and reap the therapeutic benefits of gardening.

Getting in touch with nature “is getting back to the basics,” say Denise Ansell, life enrichment co-ordinator at Streamway Villa.

She says while some people go to church to meet their spiritual needs, others turn to Mother Nature. “For some people, (nature) is their alter,” she says.

With some of the residents being former farmers, gardening is important to them. She says tending to the long-term care home's gardens is a positive stress reliever for staff too. They can meander outdoors on their break and pull a weed or tend to a plant.

Streamway Villa's gardens, considered to be among the most beautiful of those at OMNI homes, also represent more than an array of foliage and colour. Many of the plants in the garden are from residents' former gardens or the gardens of family members. “The garden takes on a life of its own,” says Ansell. “Every plant has a story.”

Life enrichment aides Nancy Williams and Lynette Sandercock are involved in the gardening projects at Streamway. Ansell says personal support worker Deb Leblanc tends to the gardens on her own time. “She takes great pride in it,” says Ansell about Leblanc.

So far, staff members have cleared the snow and will soon tend to the dirt to get the beds ready.

For years, Streamway has collected Canadian Tire money through soliciting donations in its family newsletter. Later in the season, staff and residents will head to Canadian Tire to pick out plants for the garden. She says the outing is a popular one, particularly with the men. “The guys just love Canadian Tire,” says Ansell.

She encourages other OMNI homes to consider collecting Canadian Tire money.

As well, when Cobourg residents are cleaning up their beds at home and splitting perennials, Streamway Villa would be happy to receive donations.

To donate Canadian Tire money or plants, contact Ansell at Streamway Villa at 905-372-0163.

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