Community Gardening Program for Adults with Dementia will run from May-October
Program begins with gardening-open celebration May 22 at Living Earth Center in Mankato.
Mankato, Minn. – Minnesota State University, Mankato’s College of Allied Health and Nursing is partnering with local and state organizations to offer weekly community gardening opportunities for adults with dementia from May to October at Living Earth Center in Mankato.
The program, called Gardening EngAGEment, will begin with a garden-opening celebration Wednesday, May 22 from 9-11 a.m. at Living Earth Center (170 Good Counsel Drive, Mankato).
Program leaders will join adults with dementia and their caregivers in planting tomatoes, beans, zinnias, herbs and broccoli at the opening celebration. A master gardener will provide gardening tips.
The program is free to adults with dementia and their caregivers. No pre-registration is required.
The gardening activities will continue each month, weather permitting, on the following days:
- May: Wednesdays, starting May 22, from 9-11 a.m.
- June: Fridays from 9-11 a.m.
- July: Tuesdays from 9-11 a.m. (no activities July 2)
- August: Fridays from 9-11 a.m. (no activities Aug. 2)
- September: Tuesdays from 1-3 p.m.
- October: Tuesdays from 1-3 p.m.
During June, youth (ages 5-12) in Minnesota State Mankato’s Camp Maverick program will work with the Gardening EngAGEment participants to tend to the garden and engage in a variety of nature-based activities.
For additional information, contact Minnesota State Mankato faculty member Kristen Abbott-Anderson by email at kristen.anderson@mnsu.edu or by phone at 507-389-1324.
Minnesota State Mankato’s College of Allied Health and Nursing, the Living Earth Center in Mankato and ACT on Alzeimer’sare partnering to offer the Gardening EngAGEment program as a way to help adults with dementia develop a sense of community.
Minnesota State Mankato, a comprehensive university with 14,227 students, is part of the Minnesota State system, which includes 30 colleges and seven universities.
