Health care professionals recognize the therapeutic effect plants and gardening can have on elderly, ill, and disabled individuals.
Pressed Flower Bookmarks
Therapeutic Horticulture is a discipline allied with physical and occupational therapy. Plant materials are used to help clients maintain and increase physical skills and mobility. The psychological benefits are many, fostering a sense of usefulness and hope in patients. Therapeutic Horticulture encourages interaction with others in cooperative efforts; decreases the feeling of isolation that many disabled persons experience; allows clients to share their knowledge and memories of gardening; and gives participants the opportunity to grow and learn. Persons of all ages benefit from interaction with plants, and therapeutic horticulture is being used in schools, extended care facilities, Alzheimer's units, and other treatment centers.
Master Gardener Program
The Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Cumberland County conduct therapeutic horticulture activities at extended care and adult day care facilities as well as senior centers around the county. These activities include therapeutic gardening, craft, herb, and plant workshops.
The Master Gardeners are not certified horticultural therapists, but they can work with your recreational and occupational therapists to provide advice and assistance with plant-related activities. For residents who cannot easily handle a small seed or use a trowel, they can provide information on adaptive equipment. The Master Gardeners encourage residents to be as active as possible and to initiate activities.
The Master Gardeners can advise you on therapeutic gardening activities at your facility. They can conduct one-time programs on gardening topics or assist your staff to set up gardening programs which your staff can then implement.
A member of your staff must be present when Master Gardeners work with your residents.
Suggestions for All Seasons
The Penn State Extension Master Gardeners have several ready-to-go programs that focus on gardening in the four seasons.
Spring
- Container Flower Gardens
- Container Vegetable Gardens
- Planning the Garden
- Seed Starting
Summer
- Flower Arranging
- Growing Lavender
- Herb Gardening
- Pressing Flowers
- Tussie-Mussies (Nosegays)
Autumn
- Apple Tasting
- Leaf Printing
- Seed Mosaics
Winter
- Holiday Centerpieces
- Houseplant Propagation
- Make a Terrarium
Multi-Season
- Dry Press Potpourri
- Simmering Spices
More Therapeutic Horticulture Ideas
In addition to the seasonal program suggestions, Master Gardeners can help teach residents how to care for the plants in ongoing resident vegetable and flower gardens.
The Master Gardeners have participated in therapeutic horticulture programs and activities with:
- Big Spring Senior Center, Newville
- Care and Share Blind Club, Carlisle
- Claremont Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Carlisle
- Cumberland Crossings, Carlisle
- Life Time Adult Day Care, Carlisle
- Manor Care, Carlisle
- Mechanicsburg Senior Center
- Messiah Adult Day Care, Carlisle
- Messiah Adult Day Care, Mechanicsburg
- Red Tomato Farm, Newville
- Salvation Army Senior Center, Carlisle
- Sarah Lynn Strohman Foundation
- Tri-County Association for the Blind
Other programs are available. A fee for supplies may apply. The Master Gardeners also can accommodate your special requests. Please contact the Penn State Extension office in Cumberland County at least 60 days in advance of your requested activity date.
