Here at Southern Trace Rehabilitation and Care Center in Bryant, Arkansas, we believe in celebrating our incredible residents and the hardworking staff who care for them. This year, for National Skilled Nursing Care Week, the theme was “Moments in Bloom,” and what better way to bring that theme to life than by getting our hands dirty in the garden.
We want to extend a massive, blooming thank you to the Saline County Master Gardeners for spending a beautiful, sunny May morning with us.
Seven wonderful volunteers from the Master Gardener program arrived at our memory care unit's outdoor gazebo, armed with tools, fresh potting soil, and a vibrant assortment of spring flowers. Together with our residents, they planted beautiful coleus, begonias, lantanas, Melampodium, dianthus, and polka dot plants.
Our Activity Director, Donna Plummer, said it best: the volunteers didn't just come to plant; they came to connect. They jumped right in, treating our residents like old friends, which truly touched all of our hearts.
For our memory care residents, this visit was about so much more than just beautifying the courtyard. Engaging with the soil and plants provided a powerful sensory experience. As our Director of Social Services, Jeanie Ralph, noted, combining conversation with the physical act of gardening engages the senses and creates impactful moments of joy and well-being.
The garden beds also brought back precious memories. While digging a spot for a new plant, one of our residents happily recalled how her grandfather used to plant the exact same lantanas. These moments of "reminiscing therapy" allow our residents to reconnect with their pasts and regain a wonderful sense of independence.
We are so grateful to volunteers like Darlene Otwell, Phil McConnell, and the rest of the Master Gardener crew who dedicate their time to community education and beautification. Thank you for bringing your expertise, your warmth, and your spring cheer to Southern Trace Rehabilitation and Care Center.
You truly helped our residents create beautiful moments in bloom that we will cherish all season long!