Waterford Place Garden Brings Residents Joy

By HEIDI PRUITT

The Kokomo Post staff

Studies have shown that 2020 was a difficult year for everyone — but especially for those in long-term care facilities. When management at Waterford Health Campus in Kokomo noticed something as simple as a fresh bouquet of flowers providing a glimmer of joy to the residents, they knew they had to do something to continue bringing a positive spirit to those living at Waterford. 

TKP Photos | Heidi Pruitt

In previous years, residents of the Waterford Place Health Campus participated in a campaign called “Campus in Color” where they helped choose and plant flowers in planters that decorate the campus. 

That’s when Jessica Wiles, senior community service representative, and Heather Moore, life enrichment director, brainstormed and agreed how beneficial it would be for residents to enjoy gardening and fresh flowers all summer long instead of just one week. 

“A quote I say frequently is ‘bread feeds the belly and flowers feed the soul,’” said Wiles.

Located behind the building that currently houses 100 residents, is what is matter-of-factly known as “The Cutting Garden.” Waterford hopes this garden will provide an outlet for residents to get outside and enjoy nature while tending a garden of flowers and vegetables, and ultimately allow residents to reap the benefits of their hard work.

“The location we selected is surrounded by residents' rooms, so for them to be able to look and see the butterflies and the birds, and the gorgeous flowers — it’s amazing,” said Wiles, who has a background in flower farming. 

“We usually have flowers brought in for a class on flower arranging, but now we can just go to the garden and trim and arrange the ones they grew,” said Moore.

Moore said the novelty of the program has the residents eagerly awaiting the plants’ growth.  

“I’m just excited to be able and open the curtains of my room to see all of the birds and watch the flowers grow,” said Palma, a resident whose window faces the garden. 

Linda, a new resident at Waterford Place, grew up helping her parents with a garden at their home. She was able to get involved in this project by helping plant the seeds and get the starters ready to be planted. 

“Being able to know that we planted the seeds and watch them grow up, it’s a good feeling,” she said. 

Currently bound to a wheelchair, one of Linda’s goals is to be able to walk again so she can go outside to the garden and get more involved in the progress.  

“These residents grew up in a time where everyone had gardens, and being able to go out and get their hands dirty is very therapeutic to them,” said Wiles.

Want to know how you can get involved? When these flowers bloom sometime in mid to late June, the public will be invited to visit the Cutting Garden and give a donation for a bouquet of flowers. The donations will benefit local nonprofit, Samaritan Caregivers, who provide companionship and errands for senior citizens still living in their homes. Updates on this project will be provided here.