Air Force Enlisted Village Receives Alzheimer's Foundation of America Grant for Therapeutic Horticulture Program
Air Force Enlisted Village
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Scarlett Bauman, Marketing Manager
850-651-3766 (work) or scarlett.bauman@afev.us
Air Force Enlisted Village Receives Alzheimer's Foundation of America Grant for Therapeutic Horticulture Program
Shalimar, Fla. (July 29, 2024) – The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) has chosen Air Force Enlisted Village from organizations across the country as a national winner of their 2024 Spring Bi-Annual Grant. The AFA grant has been used to create the Eldergrow Therapeutic Horticulture Program. The project will serve the residents of Hawthorn House, especially those living with dementia, offering engaging indoor gardening classes and activities designed to stimulate cognitive functions and provide social engagement.
“On behalf of the Air Force Enlisted Village, I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Alzheimer’s Foundation Association for their generous grant, which has made the Eldergrow program possible for our residents,” Hawthorn House Administrator Crystal Rowell said.
“This support brings meaningful engagement and therapeutic benefits to our community, enriching the lives of our residents in profound ways. Thank you for helping us cultivate a nurturing and vibrant environment.”
According to a 2019 systematic review from the Gerontological Society of America, indoor gardening slows down cognitive decline in senior living residents with dementia, reduces blood pressure, and improves the quality and quantity of residents’ sleep. Eldergrow has become part of AFEV’s evidence-based wellness program.
“The Eldergrow indoor garden is already a cherished addition to our community, offering residents the joy of therapeutic gardening right in our facility,” Rowell said. “Many residents have expressed excitement about the program and are looking forward to nurturing the plants and enjoying the beauty and tranquility the garden will bring. This initiative not only enhances our indoor environment but also fosters a sense of purpose and connection among our residents. One resident said that it reminds them of home, highlighting the program’s success in evoking comforting memories and overall well-being.”
AFA’s generous contribution provides a transformative solution, providing interactive and therapeutic activities tailored to residents' cognitive abilities. By addressing this need, AFA is helping to create a more inclusive and enriching environment, fostering mental acuity, social connections, and overall well-being among AFEV’s memory care residents.
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About the Air Force Enlisted Village
The Air Force Enlisted Village (AFEV) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that provides a home for surviving spouses of retired enlisted Air Force members at Bob Hope Village (active, independent living) and Hawthorn House (assisted living and memory care) in Shalimar, FL near Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field. At Bob Hope Village and Hawthorn House, residents enjoy worry-free living and camaraderie while sharing memories of military life. To learn more about the Air Force Enlisted Village, please visit www.afev.us.
About the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) was created to be that resource for families in their time of need. AFA operates a National Toll-Free Helpline (866-232-8484), staffed entirely by licensed social workers, which provides support and assistance to callers, as well as connect them with resources in their area, no matter where in the United States they live. The helpline has grown into a seven-day a week service. AFA’s national network of more than 2,000 member organizations serves families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related illnesses in each of the fifty states. To learn more about Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, please visit alzfdn.org/.
About Eldergrow
Eldergrow offers senior living residents a therapeutic connection to nature through innovative gardening products & services. Their programs bring nature inside 12 months a year, improving life for our growing community of older adults living in residential and nursing care. Residents engage in meaningful ways with the Eldergrow garden: physically, socially, cognitively, creatively, and spiritually. To learn more about Eldergrow, please visit www.eldergrow.org.
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A Hawthorn House memory care resident plants foliage in the Eldergrow Garden as part of the new Therapeutic Horticulture Program at the Shalimar, Florida assisted living and memory care community operated by Air Force Enlisted Village. The organization received a grant from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America to develop the new program.
