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Our Programs

We are closed for the winter.

In the future, we hope to have a greenhouse.

We are building a client list for our opening in Spring 2023.

 

At Green Care Farms we value everything living. It is important for people with dementia to spend time outside in a safe and supportive environment. Our programs empower our members to stay active and live a life filled with purpose.

Canada’s first Green Care Farm for people with dementia is set to commence in the summer of 2022, at Andrews Scenic Acres in Milton, Ontario. The pilot phase of the program will work with people of all ages living with dementia, including those under the age of 65 who have been diagnosed with young onset dementia.

We are located on Andrew’s Scenic Acres, a beautiful 165 acre farm. Here, our members enjoy specialized seasonal programming in our beautiful Sensory Gardens.

 

Volunteer

Meet

Meet new people and  spend a full day on the farm supported by our professionally trained staff.

Man Gardening

Move

Stay active. Learn new skills or practice existing ones. Experience the physical and mental health benefits of care farms.

Outdoor Snack

Eat

Enjoy nutritious, locally sourced meals in nature.

What our programs offer

  • Seasonal activities in our beautiful, half-acre Sensory Garden

  • Educational and skill-building opportunities tailored to our member’s individual needs and goals

  • Social engagement and physical activity

  • Nutritious, seasonal snacks and meals

  • Friendly, on-site, staff trained in dementia care

  • A safe and enjoyable environment 

 

A typical day at Green Care Farms

A typical day on the farm begins with the morning arrival of our members. We gradually gather together to drink coffee and tea and prepare for our daily activities. Daily goals are set and divided up. This may include: planting, garden care, harvesting vegetables, caring, and more.

 

At noon, we sit down and enjoy a nutritious lunch together. Depending on the season, this may include vegetables or fruits that we have harvested and prepared together. 

 

After lunch, we engage in a variety of different group leisure activities that change each day. These may include games, crafts, or invited guests. We follow this with a snack and hydration break.

 

Later in the afternoon we engage in some low-intensity movement and relaxation. We end the day by sitting down together to debrief about our day, including talking about our successes and challenges, our progress on our goals, and our plans for the next day.

 

Examples of Daily Activities

Our activities are designed around the needs, abilities, and goals of our members. Activities may include:

  • Garden Planning and Design

  • Planting

  • Plant Care

  • Horticulture

  • Garden Maintenance

  • Recycling and Organic Composting

  • Vegetable Harvesting

  • Plant Sensory Exploration

  • Wildlife Education and Observation

  • Filling the Bird Feeders 

  • Meal/Snack Preparation

 

Our programming always includes plenty of opportunities for rest and hydration, in addition to low-intensity physical activity and sensory stimulation.

 

Targeted Outcomes

All activities are planned to facilitate achievement of our members’ goals, in addition to several targeted outcomes. These include:

  • Building and Improving Social Skills and Increasing Opportunities for Socializing 

  • Spending More Time Outdoors

  • Improving and Maintaining Physical Activity

  • Fostering a Sense of Belonging

  • Improving Kinesthetic Memory

  • Increased Nutrition and Hydration

  • Retention of Fine Motor Skills

  • Increasing Feelings of Self-Worth, Purpose, and Confidence

  • Providing Care Partner Respite/Relief

  • Helping our Members to Continue Living Safely at Home

 

How We Choose and Train Our Staff

We choose our staff carefully. Each staff member is thoroughly screened and must pass background and reference checks. We prefer our staff to have specialized training in dementia care and experience working with persons with dementia. For those who do not have the required training, we have them complete this before they begin working with our members. Staff also receive a thorough introduction to our policies and approach to programming and care. 

 

We understand that starting something new can be a stressful experience. To help alleviate any anxiety, our staff members spend extra time at the beginning of the day to introduce themselves and the group to new members. This includes taking time to get to know one another, and carefully orienting our members to new or unfamiliar activities.

We reopen in Spring 2023!

Contact us and sign up to receive updates on Green Care Farms.
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