Fun in the sun — and dirt

FINDLAY — Kids aren't the only ones who have fun playing in the dirt. Some residents of The Legacy at Heritage Estates assisted living in Findlay spent part of a sunny afternoon this week getting their hands dirty while they planted flowers out in the courtyard. "This is dirt therapy," said Jackie Coffman, Legacy Neighborhood director and a certified dementia practitioner. "It's part of our Campus in Color that we do every year which engages our residents in planting and caring for flowers." The resident engagement initiative is designed to bring creativity, color and connection to Trilogy Health Services communities. This program encourages residents to take an active role in shaping their environment through decorating, gardening and seasonal displays that reflect pride in their campus. She said every year, the residents take part in this celebration of gardening. "With memory care, it's so important to have a purpose," Coffman said. "And that's why we have this because we have so many people that were gardeners and had flower gardens and vegetable gardens." There's even a tomato plant growing in a pot out in the sun that has some small green fruit. "They love watching the tomatoes grow," said Coffman. She said they do this event for residents and their families. The community is also welcome to come and engage in this activity as well. "So they're making pots that if their family members would like to take one home, they can," she said. "We also are making pots that we are going to deliver to the community. So our memory care residents are going to get on the bus, and we are going to deliver these planters to people in the community, so they're giving back." About 20 residents participated, assisted by family members, staff and community members. They sat around long tables under a covered area of their outdoors courtyard. Big bags of potting soil were nearby along with planters, decorative grasses and pink, purple and red petunias and geraniums. "They pick out what plants they want to plant, what colors they like, and then they create," Coffman said. The other half of the courtyard is sunny and has flowers and plants growing in pots and raised beds. Coffman said the residents go along to the nursery and help pick out the colors and kinds of flowers. "So there's no rhyme or reason. It's what they like. It's their courtyard. It's their space," she explained. There are also flowers, small trees and bushes around a walking path. Residents help water and care for them. "They're very proud of this. When it gets really in full bloom, it's so pretty," said Coffman. "Then my gentlemen come out and trim the bushes for me." The pathway is also home to a large cement turtle and birdfeeders. "Sometimes we come out early in the morning. They can come out here and have coffee and read the newspaper. They can come out really whenever they want," she said. Coffman said getting the community involved helps show them that people who have dementia still live their lives, and the facility allows them to continue doing the things that bring them joy. "We still plant flowers. We still do all the things that everybody else does," she said. One resident finished making her planter but decided to remain outside while others made their way back inside the building. "It is so nice out here. I'm just going to stay," she said.