RAISED GARDENS
Several residents of The Lutheran Home of Southbury expressed a desire to ‘get their hands in the dirt’ and garden again, but their physical conditions limited them from getting down to the ground. Golden Opportunities figured out a way to bring it to them by having three wheelchair accessible raised gardens specially constructed. Keith and Debbie Mozer of Mozer Construction Company in Medfield, MA designed the gardens, donated the materials, and directed the fabrication. Each garden can accommodate four wheelchair-bound gardeners in complete safety and comfort. “This is a dream come true for our residents”, said Collette Kowalski, director of therapeutic recreation at The Lutheran Home. “Many of our residents who gardened for decades can now pick up this hobby again.”

Gardening is especially therapeutic for the elderly who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive disorders. “Many residents will remember how to garden, despite the fact that they can’t remember recent events or activities,” Kowalski said.

We at Golden Opportunities are delighted to provide the means for these residents to garden again. It is wonderful to see them enjoying an activity that makes them so happy. We are deeply grateful to everyone at Mozer Construction Company for their fabulous work and generous contribution of materials and to Shortts Garden Center for donating some of the soil for the gardens. We are also grateful to the Newtown Garden Club and to the friends of Mrs. McKechnie who made financial donations toward this project.