Cortland Acres Long Term Care and Rehab celebrated Horticultural Therapy Week on March 27, 2024, with Tucker County Commissioner Fred Davis and Sheriff Jake Kopec. The Horticulture Therapy program at Cortland was established in 2023 and is “growing” beyond expectations. The mission of the horticultural therapy program is to integrate gardening and nature-based experiences into the Cortland Acres “nature of care.”
The Tucker County Commission proudly presented a Proclamation in support of National Horticulture Therapy Week recognizing the profound impact of nature-based healing. Commissioner Davis made the announcement when visiting Cortland Acres with Sheriff Kopec in their meeting with the “Green Thumbs” residents group members, guests, volunteers and staff. Davis reflected on memories of when his family members were residents at Cortland, saying “I wish this program would have been in place when my mom and grandma were residents, they would have loved it!”
“This week serves a reminder of the healing power that surrounds us in the form of plants and gardens,” said Lizz Frost Yocum, Cortland Acres social worker and program coordinator. “Horticultural Therapy uses gardening activities that are selected, adapted, modified and facilitated to support our residents to meet their goals. The benefits people experience may include enhanced physical, cognitive and psychosocial abilities, and improvements to activities of daily living. The residents engage their senses in meaningful ways, learn and have fun!”
“Plants and gardens can also be effective in engaging people with dementia,” Yocum explained. “Plants can provide them with sensory stimulation and bring pleasure. Even simple gardening tasks can enhance their motivation, self-esteem and functioning. Being around plants is a way for these residents to be in the moment, use their communication skills, decrease agitation and maintain their dignity.”
The “Green Thumbs” are Cortland residents with a special interest in plants and gardening. In one-to-one and group sessions they roll up their sleeves to work with the Horticultural Therapy program team, volunteers, each other – and an impressive array of plants. They maintain houseplants in sunrooms, offices and around the facility, prepare the plant cart that visits other residents and do seasonal outdoor gardening and special projects.
“We are thrilled to be part of Horticulture Therapy Week,” said Cortland Acres Administrator Beth Clevenger. “In long term care facilities gardening can be beneficial for activities of daily living and for social engagement. Among the benefits we see are significant positive changes with movement, increased social interaction and self-fulfillment, but most importantly, we see the residents smiling and enjoying their time with other residents.”
“The Cortland Foundation is proud to sponsor The Horticulture Therapy program,” said Crystal Boone, Director of The Cortland Foundation. “It is another project of the Foundation in which we can see the difference it makes in the daily lives of the residents.”
The West Virginia Development Office awarded $5,000 in special tax credits through the Neighborhood Investment Program (NIP) to the Cortland Foundation in 2023 for the project. Businesses or individuals who made at least a $500 donation or more to the Cortland Foundation received a tax credit of one half of the donation through the NIP program.
The Cortland Foundation is currently fundraising to build a canopy in the courtyard at Cortland. It will serve as a multi-purpose space designed to enhance the quality of life for the residents. Boone said, “The canopy will be a wonderful meeting space for the “Green Thumbs” during the summer season, it will protect them from the hot sun but allow them to be in the outdoors.”
“It’s projects like the “Green Thumbs” that sets us apart from other long-term care facilities,” Clevenger noted. “We strive to continually increase and enhance the availability of activities to our residents. Residents are all different so we need to offer a variety to match all personalities.”
The “Green Thumbs” have an abundance of plants on hand. The Especially For You Gift Shop at Cortland Acres is selling the plants, which are available for a donation to the “Green Thumbs.” All money raised will be invested back into the continuance of the program. The gift shop is open Monday thru Friday 8 am – 4 pm.
The Cortland Acres campus includes a 94-bed long-term care facility, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation programs, rental apartments in Pineview and garden and patio homes in The Pines. For more information about The Pines or Cortland Acres or to set up an appointment for a tour of the facility, call 304-463-4181 ext. 203, or visit www.cortlandacres.org.