Horticultural Therapy

Barclay Friends’ horticultural therapy program is focused on creating a sense of home for residents, helping them to live productive and meaningful lives, and providing a reason for each resident to feel good about himself or herself. The program has been designed to offer residents many ways in which they can participate, from actively gardening to enjoying the flowers from the front porch. Barclay Friends received the Award for Excellence from The Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the American Horticultural Therapy Association in recognition of the horticultural therapy program's many contributions to horticultural therapy.

For many residents, horticultural therapy is the catalyst for involvement in other recreation programs when they come to Barclay Friends.  Almost everyone enjoys plants and flowers, so the horticultural therapy program is a natural way to get people involved.  It is a program in which everyone succeeds and no one fails.  Once they have enjoyed one of the many horticultural program events and have had the opportunity to socialize with other residents, new residents are more likely to participate in other recreation programs.

The Barclay Friends horticultural therapy program includes weekly, monthly, and seasonal events for the residents of Woolman (residential and assisted living) and Cotter (nursing care and rehabilitation). Woolman and Cotter residents are active in the weekly flower arranging sessions year round.  These arrangements are then placed throughout the building for all to enjoy.  Many Woolman residents work in their individual gardening plots as the weather permits with the assistance of volunteers. In the winter months interested residents assist with the care of the numerous indoor living plants. Occupational therapy provides horticultural activities weekly in conjunction with the horticultural therapist. The Gardeners Book Club meets monthly to review an article of seasonal interest providing the opportunity for residents to gather to share information on their gardening experiences. Barclay Friends is one of the few long-term care facilities in the region to have such a comprehensive horticultural therapy program. Read more about horticultural therapy special events.

Gardens Are the Centerpiece of Horticultural Therapy

The Barclay Friends community has six outdoor gardens, each with a different purpose. The gardens are a major part of our nationally recognized horticultural therapy program. Our concept of creating a home like environment encompasses the entire property, from the main entrance to plantings along the perimeter, where all landscaping has the look and feel of a private residence. At Barclay Friends, horticultural therapy involves the entire population.  Residents, their families and friends, and our staff can enjoy any of our six outdoor gardens and residents can also participate in indoor and outdoor gardening activities. An active and dedicated corps of volunteers assists with the activities. Five of the gardens were developed through the generosity of individual and foundation donors. Learn more about our gardens.

"Thank you for all of the encouragement and fun I've had doing flower arrangements and for letting me take part in the advanced design which I've loved participating in too!  You do a terrific job here and I think the fresh flowers on the tables in the dining rooms are important for the residents.  I've heard many of them commenting on them during meals. So excited about the possibility of returning as a volunteer in your program!  It's a goal to really push for." From a letter written to the Horticultural Therapist by a Short-Stay Rehabilitation Resident.