Regis Residents Dig in and Celebrate National Gardening Week

National Gardening Week offered seniors at a local aged care home the opportunity to celebrate the simple joys of gardening last week - and to join in with an activity that is good for both mind and body. That’s because the residents at Regis Nedlands helped to plant a sustainable herb and veggie garden, with the help of the home’s care team, who are themselves passionate about the environment.

Regis Nedlands General Manager, Sam Waldron, said the new veggie and herb garden would not only provide fresh produce which would be used in the home’s kitchen, it also offered a therapeutic experience for residents, particularly those living with short term memory loss, Alzheimer’s or dementia.

“Our extensive herb and veggie garden is proving a real hit with our residents, many of whom have loved gardening in their younger years and who are enjoying picking veggies and herbs which our kitchen staff then include in their lunch,” he said.

“Growing your own vegetables and herbs is a very fulfilling and enriching activity and we have a lot of seniors with very green thumbs who really enjoyed this gardening activity, which they can continue to participate in at any time.

“Our garden also offers a sensory and enriching experience for residents where they can also relax and spend time chatting with their family and also the care staff who are dedicated to their wellbeing.

“Research has shown that smell and touch sensations actually promote concentration and alertness, so the garden really does have many benefits for our residents here at Regis Nedlands.”

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