Page 17 - Our Hands FALL 2019

AFFORDABLE LIVING

Samaritas Seniors Dig into Summer

Gardening partnership with Bates Place provides community-building
experience for Allen Manor residents.

Being outside, hands in the earth, recalling memories
of farming in their youth, residents at Allen Manor
have the opportunity to dig in the dirt this summer
through a unique partnership with Bates Place.
This spring, 10 residents signed up for a first-of-
its-kind program to build, plant, and maintain
raised beds that house greens, a variety of peppers,
beans, and strawberries. Samaritas’ Allen Manor, an
Affordable Living senior housing facility in Grand
Rapids, launched the project with Bates Place, a local
nonprofit striving to cultivate a sense of community
in the Bates and Henry area of Grand Rapids.

The fruits and vegetables grown in the raised beds
and gardens will be harvested and enjoyed by
residents in a farm-to-table experience.

Research reveals
that gardening can
improve physical,

mental, and
emotional health for
seniors.

Studies show bacteria
found in garden soil
can strengthen immune
systems. A study
published in the Journal Residents are thrilled with the gardens, and Allen Manor is
of Health Psychology looking forward to expanding the project in the future. “Their
proves that gardening faces light up when they work outside and see the raised beds,”
also relieves stress and explains Kimberly Sleet, Senior Manager, Allen
anxiety, and lowers Manor. “It also provided a wonderful opportunity
levels of cortisol - the for Allen Manor residents to engage with local
stress hormone. community members and volunteers.”

While gardening is Allen Manor has worked with Bates Place in the
good exercise, it also past and hopes to continue the partnership. Bates
brings such benefits as Place employees Wayne Squires, Joshua Holwerda,
a diminished risk of dementia, improved dexterity Luke Dehaan, Jerry Baker and Ren Miller have
and enhanced sensory awareness. Time spent collaborated with Allen Manor on this gardening
outdoors can also elevate mood and vitamin D effort and other projects, including recording oral
production. histories of Allen Manor residents.
Community retailers and volunteers are “It’s important that residents get to tell their stories,”
collaborating to facilitate the project. Donations says Sleet. “We all must recognize that every life has
included lumber and wood from Zeeland Lumber, purpose and meaning.”
soil from Birchtree Landscape, and trees, flowers, Allen Manor staff coordinated with Bates Place for
and gardening supplies and tools from Lowes. a summer reception honoring garden volunteers
Along with the raised beds, Allen Manor created an additional and sponsors. Plans are in the works for a farm-to-table potluck for
garden space for all to enjoy complete with tomatoes, squash and residents and community members later this year.
an apple tree.

17