Q:  WE HAVE AN OUTDOOR GARDEN. WHY WOULD WE NEED ELDERGROW?

A:  Outdoor gardens are wonderful, but often residents do not have easy access to the outdoors due to weather, mobility challenges, or lack of supervision for memory care residents. Eldergrow was born out of the desire to fix this problem and bring Mother Nature indoors. We help residents connect to nature 12 months a year.

Q:  WE HAVE A GARDEN CLUB HERE. HOW DO YOU DIFFER?

A:  Eldergrow is much more than a garden club! We focus on resident’s wellness goals such as sensory stimulation and measure and monitor these wellness goals. Our diverse curriculum includes classes on gardening, garden art, culinary harvest and nature topics.

Q:  I DON’T HAVE A GREEN THUMB? HOW CAN I BE SURE THE GARDEN STAYS HEALTHY?

A:  For our Therapeutic Horticulture Program, our Educators will ensure that the garden is well taken care of! They will provide maintenance twice a month, while your staff and residents can utilize our watering chart to keep the garden growing in between classes.

Q:  WHAT IS AN EDUCATOR?

A:  You’ll find our wonderful Educators in our Therapeutic Horticulture Program. They are individuals with a green thumb who are outgoing, have previous experience working with vulnerable populations, but most importantly want to connect with your residents. An Educator will come to your community twice a month and have a 1-hour class with your residents, and stay an hour thereafter to maintain your garden and complete the resident therapy evaluations. They are the heart of Eldergrow!

Q:  OUR RESIDENTS ARE LOW-FUNCTIONING. HOW CAN THEY PARTICIPATE? DO YOU OFFER PROGRAMMING FOR SKILLED CARE?

A:  We welcome all residents to our programming! For those who live in skilled care or memory care, we offer our Therapeutic Horticulture Program, which is specifically tailored to this population. Here, your Educator will conduct classes and aid residents in taking part, no matter their ability level!

Q:  WHAT IF OUR RESIDENTS HAVE A HARD TIME STAYING ENGAGED AND DON’T COMPLETE THE ACTIVITY?

A:  As much as we love our activities, the goal of Eldergrow is not to finish the activity, but rather to ensure residents get a renewed sense of purpose from our gardens and classes. At its heart, Eldergrow looks to engage residents and grow smiles.

Q:  HOW MANY RESIDENTS CAN BE IN A THERAPEUTIC GARDENING CLASS?

A:  Our Therapeutic Horticulture Program classes can easily accommodate up to 20 residents. Conversely, no class is too small. The smaller the class, the more one-on-one time residents get with our Educator and the garden. We ask for safety reasons that a member of staff is present during our therapeutic classes.

Q:  HOW DOES ELDERGROW ENSURE RESIDENT SAFETY?

A:  When it comes to safety that is Eldergrow’s top priority. We are experts in plant toxicity and ensure every plant we give you is nontoxic, as well as soft to the touch. Our soil is organic and we provide gardening gloves. The garden itself has safety locking breaks on the wheels to ensure the garden remains in place.

Q:  WHAT IF OUR RESIDENTS AREN’T INTERESTED IN GARDENING?

A:  Eldergrow is for everyone! We ensure our programming interests all of your residents so we can make a real impact. In addition to gardening, our programs include garden art classes for creative expression, culinary activities using herbs from the garden, and even educational activities for cognitive stimulation.

Q:  WHAT KINDS OF PLANTS CAN WE HAVE IN OUR GARDEN?

A:  Every plant, flower, and herb in any Eldergrow garden has been specifically chosen for their safe, sensory-stimulating, and nontoxic properties! In our Therapeutic Horticulture Garden, you will find a wide variety of eye-catching and textured flowering plants and herbs.

Q:  HOW MUCH IS ELDERGROW?

A:  We provide different ownership options and work with our customers to find a price that works with them! Reach out to us so that we can help find the right price for your community. (P.S. ask us about our nonprofit, corporate, and local discounts!)

Q:  I’M AN ADMISSIONS/MARKETING DIRECTOR. HOW WILL ELDERGROW HELP ME?

A:  We provide you with wonderful tips on how to make your community stand out and support potential residents and families! We help make your community unique. We are a great tour stop and a great place for families to visit with their loved ones during visits. In fact, friends and families are always welcome to our classes!

Q:  HOW BIG IS THE GARDEN? IS IT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?

A:  Our mobile gardens are ADA-compliant and fit through doorways, so you can move it throughout the community for events, classes, and more. Both gardens have a storage shelf below for supplies as well as a collapsible shelf. They are about the size of an administrator’s desk. Specifically, the therapy garden is 31”D x 58”W x 72”H (plus + 16.5″W for the collapsible shelf).

Q:  WHAT IF I DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH ROOM FOR THE GARDEN?

A:  Our gardens are mobile and can be moved to different locations within your community. For example, you could place in a high traffic area like the reception to use as a showpiece and then wheel it into the activities area for class.

Q:  DO YOU SHIP THE GARDEN? IS IT HARD TO ASSEMBLE?

A:  If you’re near Seattle, we can deliver. Otherwise gardens are shipped partially assembled in a crate and only take about 30 – 45 minutes to complete the final assembly.

Q:  WHERE IS ELDERGROW LOCATED? DO YOU COME TO MY STATE?

A:  Eldergrow is based in Seattle. Washington. We currently work with communities in over 20 states and 250+ communities – we’re growing!