Thriving Through Gardening: A Day at VMRC’s Farm at Willow Run

At VMRC, we pride ourselves on fostering an environment where our residents can thrive. Moving to a Memory Care neighborhood doesn’t mean giving up on passions and pastimes. A testament to this is our recent visit to the Farm at Willow Run.

Life Enrichment Program Manager Abigail Cave works closely with Memory Care residents in the Redbud and Walnut neighborhoods in Crestwood. One of her recent initiatives involves engaging residents in activities at VMRC’s Farm at Willow Run.

This is more than just a gardening activity; it is a chance for the residents to connect with nature and revisit a cherished hobby. Earlier this summer, the residents planted flowers at the farm and they recently returned to check on their progress. They arrived to see that a lot of weeds had moved in, so the residents and staff rolled up their sleeves and spent the day weeding the gardens.

This therapeutic experience aligns perfectly with VMRC's newly credentialed Montessori-inspired lifestyle. This program supports the Montessori learning principles and focuses on the whole person by providing a valued role in society, the community and their neighborhood. Activities at the farm allow residents to engage in this purposeful work and provide a sense of accomplishment and belonging.

Residents also have the opportunity to socialize with staff and residents that they do not get to see daily. Soon, they will all be able to dine together on the fruits of their labor as they use the crops from vegetable gardens to make salads and other dishes on campus.

We believe that life should be lived fully at every stage. Thanks to funds raised by the VMRC Foundation, we are able to involve residents in credentialed Montessori lifestyle activities like gardening at Willow Run, and contribute meaningfully to the lives of those in our care.