Brandon Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is celebrated the opening of its one-of-a-kind sensory garden, adjacent to their dedicated memory support unit, on Wednesday, September 6.
While most memory support centers have secure green outdoor space for residents, Brandon Oaks took it a step further and created a sensory garden with programmatic activities for those with memory impairments. The garden provides experiences for all five senses – taste, smell, sight, touch and sound – to stimulate the mind, body and spirit.
A sensory-specific curriculum was developed based on all the elements featured in the garden. The targeted activities are designed for each sensory area with engaging hands-on activities that can be done with staff members or visiting friends and family.
Natalie Wynegar, Brandon Oaks Nursing and Rehab Administrator, stated, “Our memory support unit prides itself on providing the highest quality of care and facilities, and the addition of the sensory garden makes Brandon Oaks one of the most innovative and unique memory centers in the region”. Brandon Oaks’ sensory garden is the only one of its kind in the Roanoke Valley.
Julee Goodman, Brandon Oaks Director of Development, spearheaded fundraising for this unique project. Goodman said, “Specialized programming spaces like the sensory garden are truly a gift to the community. The sensory garden was funded mostly by an individual donor whose passion is to enhance the quality of life for those living with dementia.”
Brandon Oaks worked with all local vendors to create this incredible space. Local landscape designers, Melissa Hodgkinson of Fiddlehead Landscape & Garden, and Tim Boitnott of Creative Nursey & Landscapes, Inc. helped make this dream a reality for Brandon Oaks residents. Hodgkinson stated, “Designing this garden gave me great joy knowing that it would have such a positive impact on the memory care residents. I put a lot of thought into creating spaces that would give multi-level sensory experiences that can grow and change seasonally and annually.”
Additionally, Brandon Oaks utilized community volunteers to add special touches to the sensory garden. This includes: a painted rock garden that features rocks painted by local students, Brandon Oaks staff and residents; a colorful mural wall painted by Patrick Henry High School student, Abby Cronise; and whimsically designed totem poles that were hand-crafted and painted by Brandon Oaks residents.
