Property purchased... check. Plans submitted... check.
Renovations started... Yay!
Well - we are in it for real now! No turning back! Thistle House Farm construction has begun.
The house is now up to grade - no more knob and tube wiring in our 160+ year old house, and putting in a second bathroom for a family of 6 is unfortunately a necessity now. And a new septic tank that is to code is helping us level out the needed area for our Care farm gate and parking lot area.
From city folk to country folk getting used to the cluster flies ... sort of.
But most importantly plans are underway for next stages of our Sensory Garden, Raised Vegetable Garden Beds and Gazebo shelter for our client day programs!
Let us know your thoughts and if a Care Farm is of interest to you and it's services in the Brant County, Norfolk and Haldimand regions by filling in our Senior's Survey.
Centrally located and easily accessible just outside of Brantford, in Campbell Road, Mount Pleasant (where Cockshutt Road and Indian Line intersect), at Thistle House Farm, we are hoping to start a Day Program for Seniors struggling with Dementia to provide them with a healing environment through sensory stimulation, fresh air, exercise, and socialization. There are so many benefits of a care farm for Seniors struggling with Dementia including proven ability to slow the progression of dementia disease. Our Day programs will also serve as an opportunity for Care Partner respite to provide an avenue to help decrease Caregiver burn-out.
Our farm layout will be taking advantage of research done by Clare Cooper Marcus and Naomi Sachs in their study of Therapeutic Landscapes (2014) such as key programming and site planning guidelines:
1. Consider the entire site as a healing environment. From the moment our clients enter the premises they will feel assured of our commitment to their health and well-being.
2. We will be incorporating access to nature, locating and orienting buildings, using existing features, maximizing views, and sitting garden areas for resting and relaxation
4. Design for all our Seniors and Youth different areas to serve the various needs of the population we will be serving
5. Designing for health outcomes and for programs/activities that support the desired outcomes
6. Our program staff will be trained and educated about the use and benefits of the garden and protocol for client use as well as receive Dementia Education through Alzheimer Society of Canada.
Comments