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Germinating Partnerships: Connecting Seniors to Community Gardens

Germinating Partnerships: Connecting Seniors to Community Gardens. G. Raechel Hammer Vice President, Development & Compliance Klein & Stiffel JCCs February 1, 2011. Aging in Philadelphia. Exponential Increase of Older Adults - 37 million Older Adults in America in 2007

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Germinating Partnerships: Connecting Seniors to Community Gardens

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  1. Germinating Partnerships: Connecting Seniors to Community Gardens G. Raechel HammerVice President, Development & Compliance Klein & Stiffel JCCs February 1, 2011

  2. Aging in Philadelphia • Exponential Increase of Older Adults - 37 million Older Adults in America in 2007 - 72 million (est.) Older Adults in America in 2030 • Philadelphia has the largest proportion of elderly of the ten largest cities in the country - 16.5% of people older than 60 years of age • 251,000 older Philadelphians (60+) - 55% foreign born or minority - 36% live alone

  3. Aging in Philadelphia • Philadelphia is neighborhood based - 26 different neighborhoods • Aging in Place - Client preferred & cost effective - Beneficial to mental health • Barriers to independence:- 50% of seniors live within 200% poverty level - Functional Limitations: Seniors (60%) struggle with at least one ADL and/or IADL - Physical limitations increases risk for social isolation & depression - 36% cannot access a car - Financial stress causing them to skip meals (9%)

  4. Aging Network: Supporting Independence • Seniors rely on an integrated network of community services with the goal of helping seniors to: - Remain at home - Maintain a Safe Environment - Retain the Proper Social Support • More than 150 organizations work in Philadelphia helping older adults accomplish this goal

  5. Aging Network:Supporting Independence • Senior Centers • 24 senior centers and 11 meal sites - 23,000 seniors • Senior Housing Facilities - Low Income Housing - Tax Credit Housing • Case Management Programs • NORC Supportive Services • Adult Day Care Programs • Innovation in technique and approach ensures independence of senior population

  6. Aging in Philadelphia:Benefits of Gardening Physical Benefits • Aerobic, isometric and isotonic exercise • Improves strength, endurance and flexibility • CDC concluded that gardening helps seniors meet the recommended amount of exercise • Prevents diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, and heart disease • Stimulate healthy appetite and improve sleep patterns • Gardeners are more likely to: - Have lower blood pressure; • Eat a Healthy Diet (more fruits and vegetables)

  7. Aging in Philadelphia:Benefits of Gardening Psychological Benefits • Gardening is a form of meditation, where seniors can find solitude and peace • Gardening promotes a sense of achievement and accomplishment • Studies prove that gardening reduces depression and improves mental illness “The Earth laughs in flowers” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

  8. Aging in Philadelphia:The Network Catches the Garden Wave Community Survey: Access & Interest in Gardens 28 community organizations responded • 50% have access to a garden • 50% don’t have access to a garden, most are interested but don’t know where to start Challenges & Benefits • Benefits:Non-traditional therapy, Learning opportunities, Unifying agency, Programming, Interaction with nature, Neighborhood beautification • Challenges: Staff time, Volunteers, Management, Recruitment, Training, Money, Vandalism

  9. Aging in Philadelphia:The Network Catches the Garden Wave • Cultivation of flowers & produce are used to: - Assist consumers - Participate in farmers markets - Prepare food for seniors - Create fresh flower arrangements for the center • Respondents who didn’t have access to gardens cited the following reasons: - Needing partners - Missing Volunteers - Lack of Funding - Not knowing where to start - Lack of Supplies

  10. Aging in Philadelphia:The Network Catches the Garden Wave Next Steps • In order to expand, enhance or sustain community gardens, we must: - Remove barriers - Increase capacity • Involve older adults in gardening activities • Improve community involvement & volunteerism

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