Summer is here and the balconies and gardens at Yee Hong are decorated with vibrant flowers and vegetables. Those of you who have visited any of our four LTC sites may have marvelled at the coral begonias, red daisies, pink geraniums, purple petunias, orange marigolds, lilies, lavender and much more. Or you may have wondered when harvest time is for our tomatoes and leafy greens.
These beautiful contributions are the results of gardening programs run by our activation teams. From planting to watering and to observing growth, our seniors have put a lot of care into the plants. Some even offered seedlings that they started on their own! Our residents have enthusiastically contributed their knowledge, efforts and time to help make our outdoor spaces more enjoyable.
Gardening is known to be a therapeutic activity. Horticulture therapy improves physical health and emotional well-being, is relaxing, relieves stress and anxiety, increases happiness and improves quality of life.
Our gardening activities have promoted social interaction and opportunities for planning and giving back to the place our residents call home. Even the simple act of interacting with nature, such as having a social outing or taking a stroll is highly beneficial to the mental health of our residents. So, the next time you come to visit one of our LTC homes, don’t forget to stop and smell the flowers!
