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 our 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. Horticultural therapy can also play a role in touching the life memories of our residents.  Our horticultural therapist wrote about the sharing of memories by one of our residents when the resident was presented with a catkin from a pussy willow branch, demonstrating how "plants can strike deep chords in our memories and in our hearts".

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 Barclay Friends horticultural therapist often works with Master Gardeners who present lectures and demonstrations for our residents. One of the Master Gardeners who volunteers at Barclay Friends shared her impression of our horticultural therapy program and Barclay Friends.   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.

Monarch Waystation Designation for the Ruth T. Cottom Garden

Barclay Friends’ Monarch Waystation designation for the Ruth T. Cottom Garden monarch habitat, located behind the Woolman Building, has been approved by Monarch Watch.  Please read more about the monarch butterfly habitats and the Monarch Waystation designation certified by Monarch Watch by opening this link.  Two signs indicating the Monarch Waystation designation are installed in the two beds that contain the Asclepias plants that serve as the host plant (food) for the monarch larvae.  The Horticultural Therapy program offers educational programming surrounding the Monarch Way-station.  An informative bulletin board display can be viewed in the first floor Garden Room in the Woolman Building. In addition, a lovely brochure has been designed highlighting the plants in this garden. 

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.

Horticultural Therapy Program Community Outreach

Barclay Friends' Horticultural Therapist and the Woolman Recreation Lead arranged for Barclay Friends to partnership with the Chester County Food Bank (CCFB) in the creation of four raised vegetable gardens in Sydney’s Garden at Barclay Friends in September 2010.  The CCFB donated and helped to install the raised beds made of cypress wood (typically 12’ x 3’ x 16”) and donated the soil and the seeds.  Each season Barclay Friends will plant the seeds, tend the vegetables, and deliver the harvested vegetables to the local food bank. 

Once the beds are installed and the seeds planted, students from the Chester County Family Academy and their families can volunteer their time and labor tending the gardens in exchange for some of the harvest. Plans have also been developed to continue to engage the students with our residents for inter-generational programs in conjunction with this project. In addition, education programs will be provided to Barclay Friends residents and the Chester County Family Academy students and their family members on topics such as raised bed gardening, vegetable gardens, and other gardening topics by the Penn State Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners. Please review the Chester County Food Bank website to learn more about their programs. To learn more about the Chester County Family Academy, please visit their website.

"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.