1 / 10

Germinating Partnerships: Connecting Seniors to Community Gardens

This article explores the benefits of connecting seniors to community gardens in Philadelphia. It highlights the physical and psychological benefits of gardening for seniors, and discusses the challenges and benefits of implementing garden programs. The article also outlines the next steps to expand and enhance community gardens for older adults.

christinalewis
Download Presentation

Germinating Partnerships: Connecting Seniors to Community Gardens

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Germinating Partnerships: Connecting Seniors to Community Gardens G. Raechel HammerVice President, Development & Compliance Klein & Stiffel JCCs February 1, 2011

  2. Aging in Philadelphia • Exponential Increase of Older Adults - 37 million Older Adults in America in 2007 - 72 million (est.) Older Adults in America in 2030 • Philadelphia has the largest proportion of elderly of the ten largest cities in the country - 16.5% of people older than 60 years of age • 251,000 older Philadelphians (60+) - 55% foreign born or minority - 36% live alone

  3. Aging in Philadelphia • Philadelphia is neighborhood based - 26 different neighborhoods • Aging in Place - Client preferred & cost effective - Beneficial to mental health • Barriers to independence:- 50% of seniors live within 200% poverty level - Functional Limitations: Seniors (60%) struggle with at least one ADL and/or IADL - Physical limitations increases risk for social isolation & depression - 36% cannot access a car - Financial stress causing them to skip meals (9%)

  4. Aging Network: Supporting Independence • Seniors rely on an integrated network of community services with the goal of helping seniors to: - Remain at home - Maintain a Safe Environment - Retain the Proper Social Support • More than 150 organizations work in Philadelphia helping older adults accomplish this goal

  5. Aging Network:Supporting Independence • Senior Centers • 24 senior centers and 11 meal sites - 23,000 seniors • Senior Housing Facilities - Low Income Housing - Tax Credit Housing • Case Management Programs • NORC Supportive Services • Adult Day Care Programs • Innovation in technique and approach ensures independence of senior population

  6. Aging in Philadelphia:Benefits of Gardening Physical Benefits • Aerobic, isometric and isotonic exercise • Improves strength, endurance and flexibility • CDC concluded that gardening helps seniors meet the recommended amount of exercise • Prevents diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, and heart disease • Stimulate healthy appetite and improve sleep patterns • Gardeners are more likely to: - Have lower blood pressure; • Eat a Healthy Diet (more fruits and vegetables)

  7. Aging in Philadelphia:Benefits of Gardening Psychological Benefits • Gardening is a form of meditation, where seniors can find solitude and peace • Gardening promotes a sense of achievement and accomplishment • Studies prove that gardening reduces depression and improves mental illness “The Earth laughs in flowers” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

  8. Aging in Philadelphia:The Network Catches the Garden Wave Community Survey: Access & Interest in Gardens 28 community organizations responded • 50% have access to a garden • 50% don’t have access to a garden, most are interested but don’t know where to start Challenges & Benefits • Benefits:Non-traditional therapy, Learning opportunities, Unifying agency, Programming, Interaction with nature, Neighborhood beautification • Challenges: Staff time, Volunteers, Management, Recruitment, Training, Money, Vandalism

  9. Aging in Philadelphia:The Network Catches the Garden Wave • Cultivation of flowers & produce are used to: - Assist consumers - Participate in farmers markets - Prepare food for seniors - Create fresh flower arrangements for the center • Respondents who didn’t have access to gardens cited the following reasons: - Needing partners - Missing Volunteers - Lack of Funding - Not knowing where to start - Lack of Supplies

  10. Aging in Philadelphia:The Network Catches the Garden Wave Next Steps • In order to expand, enhance or sustain community gardens, we must: - Remove barriers - Increase capacity • Involve older adults in gardening activities • Improve community involvement & volunteerism

More Related