OUTLOOK — Visitors to the Pioneer Home in the long-term care wing of the Outlook & District Health Centre may want to take a step outside.
There, they’ll find a flourishing courtyard that has become a favourite spot for residents and families alike.
Residents have been enjoying the outdoor features, such as plants and flower beds, thanks to the efforts of many people.
“We have a passionate gardening group that started meeting in March," said Kristy Ledene-Johnson, recreation co-ordinator for the long-term care facility. "They made a wish list and we worked to check off as many items as we could. We were fortunate to receive donations from Alliance church members, Riverbend Co-op, the Little Country Greenhouse at Swanson, Broderick Garden Centre, family members, community members and staff.”
Sitting down with a few of the residents, it's easy to understand why it's such a favoured spot among everyone who calls the facility home. On top of that, the summer season only adds to the ambiance of the garden surroundings, including the shaded patio furnishings and the gazebo featured at the end of the cement pathway, which is a favourite spot for families when they come and visit.
Ledene-Johnson says that lightweight hoses were purchased so that residents could help with watering the plants, and several community groups lent a hand in planting, tending the planter boxes and keeping the grounds in top shape. Some of those volunteers included local high school students from LCBI, who helped with some of the more labour-intensive tasks.
“It is really a team effort that makes it such a lovely space to enjoy," said Kristy. "Our volunteer group really is amazing. Some have come before school or after school to help water, others have dug and replanted, weeded, raked and picked apples, whatever needed to be done; they pitched in along with the residents."
A number of the residents were able to customize their own pots or planter beds with flowers of their choice, and a sensory box with a variety of herbs was planted as well.
The area also features some creative projects that residents contributed ideas to, including mushroom lawn ornaments and stepping stones, which help add more beauty to the space.
And this is more than just a spot for looks. One resident, Eric, proudly displayed some plump tomatoes during this reporter’s visit, showing the variety of things such as tomatoes, potatoes, herbs and chili peppers that will be enjoyed once they're ready to be harvested. Already being used and enjoyed by residents are apple squares and apple sauce made from the fruit that dangles from the courtyard's tree.
"Several residents expressed how much they enjoy being outside in the courtyard garden," said Kristy. "So many months of the year we are inside, so we try to do as many programs outside as we can. We’ve had concerts, poetry readings, radio shows, school visits, barbecues, enjoyed cool treats and even language lessons on the patio while enjoying the beauty of the plants and flowers."
The courtyard is something that truly needs to be seen to be believed, so visitors to the long-term care facility are encouraged to venture outside to see it for themselves.