BEECHWORTH Hospital Residential Care Program, operated by Beechworth Health Service (BHS), has received $65,000 for a new garden that will improve resident independence and enhance community and social activities and engagement.
The goal and design of the garden will be decided by the residents of the aged care service giving them the autonomy to prepare and enjoy the food they have grown, with the social aspect of maintaining these gardens also playing an important role in strengthening the connections of residents.
BHS interim chief executive officer, Susan Plath, said their team is very excited to be working on a resident focused and community minded kitchen garden project.
"The project will further enhance our gardens with a focus on what our residents enjoy seeing, smelling, growing and eating," she said.
"We were very please to receive this funding as it will allow us to establish a fully functional edible garden, as well as residents being able to participate in gardening and cooking activities."
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Ms Plath said the team at BHS plan to grow the edible plants that bring back memories for their residents as many of them loved spending time in their gardens.
"Our staff are busy finding out what matters to our residents, and what plants they would like to grow, that’s a really important part of the project for us," she said.
"In addition, the Beechworth Men’s Shed have provided their amazing support since the beginning and are very passionate about helping to build our garden.
"It’s very much a community collaboration.
"We are really excited about providing a community space for multigeneration enjoyment, and being able not only grow the food, but to cook it for all our residents to enjoy."
The funding is part of the State Government's goal to brighten the lives of Victorians living in Public Sector Residential Aged Care Services (PSRACS), with $1.68 million in grants funded to improve or construct kitchen gardens.
More than 70 aged care services have received funding through the second round of the PSRACS and Community Kitchen Garden Initiative.
Minister for Ageing, Ingrid Stitt, said it is known that gardening is beneficial for both physical and mental health, and these grants are helping older Victorians keep up a hobby they love and enjoy good company, all while receiving the aged care they need.
“Victoria is one of the only states in the country providing a public option for aged care, and we’re proud that we continue to deliver initiatives that enhance the quality-of-care older Victorians deserve," she said.
Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes, praised the initiative and said gardening brings so many health benefits.
"These grants are helping older members in our local communities stay active and connected with each other while getting the aged care support they rely on," she said.
